Ocoee commission directs staff to draft EMS enterprise fund ordinance to fund paramedic-only ambulances

The Ocoee City Commission on May 19 directed staff to prepare an ordinance that would establish an EMS division and an EMS enterprise fund funded primarily by transport fees and contracts, and to include the proposal in the city’s FY 2026–27 budget.

Deputy Fire Chief Vancamp told the commission the change is designed "not about reducing the services to the community, but rather it's about modernizing how EMS services are funded and operationally structured" to improve long‑term financial sustainability. Under the plan, EMS transport would be staffed by paramedic‑only personnel (PMOs), while firefighter‑paramedics would be reassigned to fire suppression apparatus to allow the department to staff four engines, one tower truck and two ALS ambulances simultaneously.

Staff projected the enterprise fund would draw roughly $3.7 million in EMS revenue for FY27 from transport billing, reimbursements and contracts, while estimated EMS operating costs under the PMO model are about $2.6 million, producing an initial operational margin staff characterized as a buffer for overtime, capital replacement and unexpected costs. The presentation estimated a general‑fund reduction in fire operating costs of roughly $1.2–$1.4 million after the transition.

Commissioners asked about implementation timing and service effects. A staff member said the goal would be to have the ordinance take effect Oct. 1 with the division fully operating by early calendar year 2027, bringing on half the PMO hires initially for precepting and training. The chief said the model could also improve recruitment by widening the hiring pool to applicants who prefer paramedic work over full firefighter duties.

City staff recommended, and the commission approved, directing the city attorney and administration to return with draft ordinance language for first and second reading and to include funding and positions (12 full‑time PMOs and up to six part‑time PMOs) in the proposed FY 2026–27 budget. The motion passed unanimously with Commissioner Kennedy absent.

The commission’s action is a direction to draft and return with formal ordinance text and budget details; no final ordinance or personnel appointments were approved at this meeting. Next steps: staff will produce the ordinance, detailed fiscal model and implementation schedule for upcoming agenda readings.