City of Owasso

PROJECT PURPOSE

The City of Owasso operates a paramedic level ambulance service through the Owasso Fire Department, a fire-based Emergency Medical Service (EMS). The Owasso Fire Department operates four fire stations utilizing six ambulances. The proposed project is designated to replace needed EMS equipment- six ventilators ($61,775.28), six heart monitors ($241,233.30) and six automated cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) devices ($66,590.10) that have been used extensively throughout the COVID?19 pandemic. Ventilators have/are being used to treat COVID?19 patients suffering from severe respiratory distress and heart monitors assess and record vital signs: pulse, oxygen saturation, blood pressure, breathing, 12-lead cardiac imaging and defibrillation. Automated CPR devices assist in performing CPR decreasing the level of Covid-19 exposure to firefighter/paramedics. The significant increase of use escalating wear and tear, along with cleaning and disinfecting, have created the need to replace this equipment sooner than anticipated, a direct result from the pandemic. With current budgeting restraints, full funding is not available for the equipment replacement costs. The City has matching funds available of 20% toward the total replacement costs of $369,598.68, for a requested amount of $295,678.94. The desired outcome is the continuation to provide paramedic level service in our community utilizing this equipment.

EVIDENCE

None

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

The Owasso Fire Department?s ambulance district serves an area of 75 square miles. The area incorporates 17 square miles of the Owasso city limits, with a population of 38,240, and the remainder encompasses rural areas in Tulsa and Rogers County, with an estimated population of 60,000 ? 65,000. There is also an estimated influx of 100,000 visitors commuting in for work, shopping and medical care. Owasso is home to two hospitals and 7 nursing and assisted living centers. The department?s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) assist all demographics within our area; however, those over 65 years of age and those within the lower income levels have been the most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Individuals in the 65 and older age groups and lower incomes often delay seeking medical treatment due to monetary issues and costs related to healthcare. Patients without basic treatment chronically deteriorate causing minor symptoms to become a life threating emergency which initiates the EMS system utilizing the requested emergency equipment. The 65 and older age groups accounts for 52.8% of Owasso?s EMS call volume which has increased by 15.12% during the pandemic. This equipment is vital in providing adequate medical services to this vulnerable population.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

The measure of performance for this project will be the ability to provide uninterrupted, quality healthcare services to the citizens of Owasso. The equipment that will be purchased through this project is vital to the fight against COVID-19.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma