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Emergency Medical Services

The City of Dickinson and all of Mainland Galveston County have provided EMS by subsidizing private EMS providers for many years.  In June 2005, GoldStar EMS announced that they would no longer provide services in Galveston County.  This was the 4^th company to leave the service area in 10 years.

On Monday, June 24, 2005 the City of Dickinson staffed one Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) in partnership with Galveston EMS (Galveston County Health District).  With the adoption of the FY 2006 budget, the Mayor and City Council made Dickinson Public Safety the permanent emergency medical services provider for the City.  Dickinson Public Safety responds to emergency 9-1-1 calls for service with Paramedic/Firefighters 24 hours per day operating with one ambulance currently stationed at Dickinson Fire Station #2 on FM 517 West.  Dickinson.

Dickinson Public Safety is part of the new “Galveston County Medic 1 System” which includes Galveston EMS, La Marque Fire Department, Texas City EMS and the Texas City Fire Department.  The Medic 1 System operates under the medical control of Dr. Russell Miller, a Professor of Emergency Medicine at UTMB.  In addition to our Medic 1 partners, Dickinson has mutual aid agreements with League City EMS and the Santa Fe Emergency Services District.

Dickinson Public Safety Paramedic/Firefighters will serve to supplement the Dickinson Volunteer Fire Department, primarily during the day when many volunteer members are working.  Members of the Dickinson Volunteer Fire Department and Dickinson Public Safety’s Fire Marshal’s Office respond as EMS First Responders on major medical emergencies and when Dickinson’s ambulance is on another call.

Dickinson Public Safety is working to provide the highest quality of emergency services for the community.  Advantages of this system include:  

• Local control of cost, quality of care and services

• Additional firefighter coverage to aid the Volunteer Fire Department

• Daily inspection and maintenance of fire apparatus

• Daily inspection and maintenance of fire stations

• Addition of qualified trainers to assist the Volunteer Fire Department

• Additional personnel to conduct public fire education programs

• Pre-incident planning conducted by duty crews

• CPR, First Aid and public access defibrillation programs in the community

• Safety-related public education

• Credit for paid fire protection personnel with ISO  

Dickinson Public Safety is under the direction of Norman Hicks, Director of Public Safety – 281-337-6261 – email: nhicks@ci.dickinson.tx.us.