FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Office of County Commissioner Myles Davidson

I am pleased to share important updates regarding our advancements in emergency services over the past year. Your unwavering support and trust in my vision for a better future for our county are deeply appreciated. I remain committed to working collaboratively with all of you and advocating for our collective interests.

In February 2023, the Oklahoma County Board of County Commissioners proudly introduced the ARPA Community Portal, a platform that received remarkable enthusiasm and attention. We reviewed an overwhelming 140 proposals with the meticulous assistance of our trusted consultant, Accenture. Among the key programs funded by ARPA is the provision of ambulatory and EMS services through 2026.

Deer Creek Fire Chief Cory Beagle shared his thoughts on our efforts to enhance community protection:

"On September 19, 2023, the Deer Creek Fire Protection District and Oak Cliff Fire Protection District were informed that EMSA would cease serving their citizens by the year's end. Within a week, both districts had an in-person meeting with Commissioner Davidson and his staff. From that point, Commissioner Davidson and his office dedicated themselves to finding a solution for an ambulance provider in the unincorporated areas. The communication between Commissioner Davidson and our Fire Districts was open and fully functional throughout the process. On December 22, 2023, our districts contracted with Miller EMS, with Commissioner Davidson securing funds to subsidize the ambulance service. On May 31, 2024, his office successfully secured ARPA funds to cover the ambulance subsidy through 2026.

Without Commissioner Davidson's assistance, the unincorporated areas of NW Oklahoma County and SW Logan County would lack a dedicated ambulance service. Thanks to his diligence, our ambulance service is funded through 2026 with ARPA funds. This timeline allows us to implement measures to continue providing EMS transport in our unincorporated fire districts beyond 2026.

Only 13 states in the U.S. consider EMS an essential service, and Oklahoma is not one of them. Oklahoma law does not require counties with populations over 500,000 to have a plan or provide EMS services. Despite no legal obligation, Commissioner Davidson committed to solving this issue because it was the right thing to do.

The Deer Creek Fire Protection District and Oak Cliff Fire Protection District publicly express our gratitude to Commissioner Davidson and his staff for their dedication to our communities' safety."

I am grateful for Fire Chief Beagle's remarks and look forward to future collaborations. Together, we will build a stronger and more prosperous Oklahoma County. Thank you for your continued faith in me.

For further information, please contact:

Caroline Estes
Press Specialist, Commissioner Myles Davidson
cgestes19@gmail.com