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Health and Human Services Agency, recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign Amendment 1 to Agreement 001-S1711 with North Tahoe Fire Protection District, authorizing the location of an Advanced Life Support Engine staffed with at least one (1) Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic in the Meeks Bay area, to serve the designated Tahoe West Shore area of County Service Area 3.
FUNDING: The engine will be provided and staffed by the North Tahoe Fire Protection District. There is no fiscal impact to the County or to CSA 3.
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION:
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) is recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign Amendment 1 to Agreement 001-S1711 with North Tahoe Fire Protection District (North Tahoe) to enhance the provision of Advance Life Support (ALS) First Responder services in the designated Tahoe West Shore area of County Service Area No. 3 (CSA 3).
The County provides ambulance services under a public utility model, and HHSA has determined that in accordance with County Ordinance Section 3.13.030, it is more economical and feasible to engage an independent contractor for ambulance transportation due to special skills and qualifications of the Contractor’s personnel involved in the performance of the work, lack of availability of qualified County employees to perform the work, and that the Contractor will provide equipment, materials, facilities, administration or support services related to providing work that may not be feasibly provided by the County.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
The Board of Supervisors approved Agreement 001-S1711 (Agreement) on August 18, 2016 (File ID 16-0786, No. 9).
Ambulance transportation services in CSA 3 are primarily subcontracted to California Tahoe Emergency Services Operations Authority (CalTahoe); however, there is an area designated as the Tahoe West Shore which is inaccessible during some portions of the year due to weather and is served via contract with North Tahoe.
All emergency medical services provided within the County must be pursuant to a contract for services. The Agreement is being amended to allow North Tahoe to locate an Advanced Life Support (ALS) Engine in the Meeks Bay area. The engine will be staffed with at least one (1) Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic (EMT-P) and contain medical equipment and supplies sufficient to provide definitive prehospital emergency medical care, including, but not limited to, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, cardiac monitoring, cardiac defibrillation, advanced airway management, intravenous therapy, administration of specified drugs and other medicinal preparations, and other specified techniques and procedures administered by personnel under the direct supervision of a base hospital as part of a local EMS system at the scene of an emergency. The ALS Engine is a non-transporting first responder resource. All services will be provided in accordance with the County Ordinance Code, Chapter 8.74 - County Emergency Medical Service and Medical Transportation.
The ALS Engine will respond to a location only if prior approval is received from the designated dispatch center for such service at that location. In addition, if an ambulance or ALS Engine is involved in an emergency response at a location not previously approved by the designated dispatch center, ambulance or ALS Engine staff shall immediately notify the designated dispatch center to be assigned to that incident.
ALTERNATIVES:
Disapproval of Amendment 1 could hamper North Tahoe Fire Protection District’s ability to respond to multiple incidents, should they occur at the same time or if an incident occurs while an ambulance is dispatched to another location.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel and Risk Management
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact to the County or CSA 3 associated with this Agenda item. The North Tahoe Fire Protection District is solely responsible for all costs related to the ALS engine. Ambulance billing will continue to be based on ambulance activity, and will not be affected by this amendment.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of the Chair on two (2) original Amendment 1 to Agreement 001-S1711.
2) Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed original Amendment to HHSA Contracts Unit at 3057 Briw Road.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
Public Safety
CONTACT
Patricia Charles-Heathers, Ph.D., Director, Health and Human Services Agency