‘Progress made, but more work to do’: Charlotte Fire pushes forward on EMS reform

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Charlotte Fire is welcoming recent operational commitments made by Medic to begin addressing longstanding concerns with Mecklenburg County’s emergency medical services system.

To maintain continuity of care and support a pathway for measurable progress, the City of Charlotte and Charlotte Fire have reached an agreement with Medic on an updated operational framework that remains in effect unless a material breach occurs or both parties agree to changes.

The agreement automatically renews in 90-day increments and is structured to support accountability and continued system evaluation.

This agreement aligns with expectations that Medic will begin implementing the critical system
improvements outlined, including faster response times, expanded staffing and fleet capacity, and a reduction in non-emergency fire responses.

These improvements include:

• A tiered reduction in Charlotte Fire’s role in low-acuity and first responder-only calls
• Increased field staffing of EMTs and paramedics
• Expansion of Medic’s ambulance fleet and in-service availability

This is a step in the right direction. But more must be done to fix a system that has not kept pace with Charlotte’s growth. Charlotte Fire remains committed to serving with professionalism, urgency, and a focus on what’s best for the community.
Charlotte Fire Chief Reginald Johnson

Charlotte Fire’s statement reads, in part:

Charlotte Fire has long advocated for meaningful change to better serve a growing city, and these developments mark an important first step.

However, significant system-level improvements are still needed. Charlotte’s population has grown rapidly, but Medic’s service model has not evolved to meet the city’s increasing emergency response demands. Fire trucks are routinely tied up on medical calls, reducing availability for structure fires, rescues, and other high-priority emergencies. These reforms are necessary to reduce strain, improve system efficiency, and ensure residents get the care they need, when they need it.