Amarillo is looking to hire Emergency Medical Services medical director
AMARILLO, TEXAS -- Amarillo's ambulance service has been a hot topic lately. There was a debate about American Medical Response before it took over the service in January, and earlier this month AMR was the focus of a state health department investigation. Things may finally be starting to settle down, as Amarillo is one step closer to having a medical director for the City's Emergency Medical Services.
The position oversees the ambulance service, and provides direction and quality control among other duties. Amarillo city commissioners approved a contract agreement between the city and Dr. David French. He can now accept the contract, sign it, and make the deal official.
"This individual's job is to ensure compliance with the really aggressive terms we have with our ambulance service. To provide high quality care to the people of Amarillo, but additionally, they're going to do another thing. Dr. French if he elects to sign this contract will also help train our firefighters and paramedics at even a higher level than they've done at any time in the past," said Brian Eades, City Commissioner Place 2.
At this point commissioners have no reason to believe Dr. French will not sign the contract, and that he would likely come in town to meet with folks and get started this Thursday.
The overall plan is to have the medical director working with the city's ECAB or Emergency Coordinating Advisory Board. The hospital board will pay half of the director's salary while the other half will be paid by AMR.
