By Frank Keating
The Oklahoman
TULSA, Okla. — In 1978, when Tulsa launched the Emergency Medical Services Authority, some questioned whether it was a wise move. Now, 30 years later, EMSA serves both major metro areas in Oklahoma. It operates nearly 80 ambulances, responds to about 115,000 calls per year and saves countless lives.
We are fortunate to have EMSA in our two largest cities in Oklahoma. There are more rural parts of Oklahoma with very limited, or even no ambulance service. It is much the same across the United States. In Tulsa and Oklahoma City, we not only have the best service in the state, but we have a service provider that has become a national model.
During my tenure as governor, major events happened in Oklahoma, both manmade and natural. Obviously, the most vivid example was the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.
While the devastation was astonishing, the response was inspiring. Along with area police and fire officials, EMSA paramedics and emergency medical technicians risked life and limb to save the lives of the victims. Through diligence and determination, EMSA personnel delivered treatment that was crucial to the survival of hundreds of victims in the hours following the tragedy. In one of Oklahoma’s darkest hours, the professionals from EMSA displayed the best humanity has to offer.
People remember the tragedy of the bombing, but they fail to realize that EMSA is really a joint effort driven by the two largest cities in Oklahoma. The significance of cooperation is rarely acknowledged, let alone celebrated.
In fact, we hardly ever celebrate when Oklahoma City and Tulsa work together, but we should. Too often, we hear stories of competition and accusations between the cities. But here we have an example of how they have worked together very constructively.
Partnerships are part of a recipe for good government, and in this case, they also provide for well-delivered services for citizens - quality of life. And this is one partnership that should not only be celebrated, it should be replicated. The EMSA model works.
I’d like to congratulate the leaders of EMSA and the leaders of Tulsa, Oklahoma City and the 14 other cities that participate in the system. Leaders in Oklahoma can learn a lot by looking at EMSA. Its success has been due to cooperation and forward-looking leadership, both at the staff and board level of EMSA, but also the municipal leadership in Tulsa and Oklahoma City.
Simply put, EMSA promotes quality of life through excellent health care services. It’s a great community partner in the cities where it operates. And EMSA just makes good sense for the Oklahoma City and Tulsa Metro areas. Join me in thanking EMSA for 30 great years.
Keating, Oklahoma’s governor from 1995 through 2002, is president and CEO of the American Council of Life Insurers.