Oklahoma City Delays Deadline For EMSA Decision Until January

Wednesday, October 25th 2006, 5:49 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma City's city council votes to extend a deadline for it to decide to keep its current ambulance service or shift that responsibility to the city's fire department.

The deadline on deciding whether or not to continue the city's contract with the Emergency Medical Services Authority had been October 31st, but now will be January 31st.

Tulsa's city council voted last week for a similar extension. Tulsa also now uses EMSA for its ambulance service.

EMSA officials are in support of extending the deadline and say city officials will find that EMSA provides clinical excellence and value to the city.

Tulsa's decision to extend its deadline came after its fire department said it could provide ambulance service at a lesser cost for the city. EMSA disputes that claim.

Oklahoma City fire officials say they found the city would have to pay at least $4-million more during the next five years if it used its fire department for ambulance service.