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Chief Administrative Office and County Counsel recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement 129-S1711 with Regional Emergency Medical Services Authority for stand-by ambulance services in County Service Area 3, subject to minor modifications approved by the Chief Administrative Officer and County Counsel. (Cont. 6/28/16, Item 60)
FUNDING: County Service Area 3 - Benefit Assessment (South Shore Area) and fee for ambulance services.
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
Chief Administrative Office and County Counsel recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement 129-S1711 with Regional Emergency Medical Services Authority (REMSA) for stand-by ambulance services in County Service Area 3 (CSA 3), subject to minor modifications approved by the Chief Administrative Officer and County Counsel.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
County, as the ambulance service provider under a public utility model, currently has a contract with California Tahoe Emergency Services Operations Authority, a joint powers authority, (Cal Tahoe JPA) for ambulance services in CSA 3 (EMS Agreement). Cal Tahoe JPA has two member agencies, Lake Valley Fire Protection District (Lake Valley) and City of South Lake Tahoe (City). Cal Tahoe JPA contracts with its member agencies to fulfill its obligations under the EMS Agreement to furnish ambulance transport and dispatch services in CSA 3 (Member Agreements). Currently, Lake Valley staffs and operates one ambulance and City staffs and operates two ambulances in CSA 3. Cal Tahoe JPA has taken action to change its service model whereby the ambulance transports currently being provided by City of South Lake Tahoe will now be directly furnished by Cal Tahoe JPA. Cal Tahoe JPA will become the employer of the emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics (EMT-Ps) and will directly staff and operate the two ambulances while Lake Valley will continue to staff and operate one ambulance for the remaining term of the EMS Agreement which is currently set to expire August 31, 2019.
County entered into the EMS Agreement based on the qualifications of the JPA and its member agencies. Since Cal Tahoe JPA does not have experience in staffing, managing and operating ambulance transports, there is an element of risk to the public health, safety, and welfare until the JPA establishes itself as a competent ambulance transport service entity. As a result of this potential risk to the public health, safety, and welfare, the Chief Administrative Office and County Counsel are recommending that the County enter into a stand-by agreement with REMSA so that in the event there are service problems or system failure, the County will be prepared to take-over as is authorized under the terms of the EMS Agreement.
ALTERNATIVES
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Health & Human Services Agency, El Dorado County Emergency Medical Services Agency
CAO RECOMMENDATION
The Chief Administrative Office recommends approval.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This contract would be solely funded through CSA 3 emergency medical services funds.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Obtain signatures on two (2) original Agreement 129-S1711
Board Clerk's Office to return one (2) signed original Agreement to EMS Agency Administrator
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
CONTACT
Kathleen Markham, Sr. Deputy County Counsel
Richard Todd, EMS Agency Administrator