City of Muskogee

PROJECT PURPOSE

The City of Muskogee is partnering with Muskogee County to help provide an additional ambulance to the Muskogee County Emergency Medical Service. Muskogee County EMS is the front line of response to pandemic related emergency calls, and the pandemic put incredible additional stress on the EMS fleet, through additional calls as well as having to transport citizens sometimes hundreds of miles one way to find medical care during peak pandemic times. Muskogee County EMS currently lacks one ambulance to be considered operating at full fleet capacity and has several vehicles currently in operation that are in need of replacement or are near the end of their lifecycle. The purpose of this project is to restore EMS fleet size to full capacity and ensure the safety of citizens in our community by providing them with adequate access to emergency medical services. The Muskogee County EMS services more than 80,000 people within an 840 square mile area that spans across four counties. Disruption in service due to a vehicle shortage is a public safety hazard and puts residents at risk. The City would provide this funding as a pass-through.

EVIDENCE

None

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

Muskogee is the county seat and the largest city in Muskogee County with 36,878 residents. It is a regional hub with residents from six surrounding counties traveling to Muskogee daily for employment, services, and entertainment. The improvements requested in our water treatment plant project are essential as it is the only source of water for 55,000 residents in seven rural water districts, four towns, including the historic black community of Taft, and two state prisons, in addition to the City of Muskogee. Vulnerable populations include 17.1% of residents over age 65 and 24.4% of residents under age 18.Further, 21.1% are in poverty including29.4% of children under 18. Muskogee County has a high percentage of minority residents with 59.9% of its residents White; 10.9% Black; 19.7% American Indian;8.8% two or more races; and 6.6% Hispanic. Minority populations in general have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic due to decreased access to health services. The opportunity to assess and improve this raw water line will better serve current residents who are now adversely affected by our inability to address these issues due to financial limitations. Moreover, the remediation of identified problems will further promote economic development and provide stability to our community.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

Performance will be measured for this project by a decrease in repair services performed on all ambulances due to the introduction of a brand new vehicle to the fleet. Older vehicles, in need or replacement or near the end of their lifecycle will not be used as much and have reduced wear and tear until the time that they can be replaced. Longer transports will be assigned to the newer vehicle reducing time that ambulances are out of service due to repair and the cost of maintaining older vehicles. Data will be collected through vehicle service records.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

One-time project will not need continued funding