Title
Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board:
1) Approve the use of the attached Advanced Life Support Non-Transport Unit and Advanced Life Support Assessment Unit Permitting Application/Agreement boilerplate, to allow the Emergency Medical Services Agency to tender permits to non-transporting and assessment unit operators; and
2) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 134-2018, which delegates authority to execute said boilerplate agreements to the Director of the Health and Human Services Agency, or designee.
FUNDING: General Fund.
Body
DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION:
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board approve the use of the attached Advanced Life Support (ALS) Non-Transport Unit/Assessment Unit agreement boilerplate, to allow the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency to tender permits for the operation of ALS Non-Transport Unit /ALS Assessment Units (Units) in accordance with County Ordinance 4991, Chapter 8.74.060 which requires contracts with the County to provide ALS Non-Transport services. In addition, HHSA recommending the Board adopt the attached Resolution to delegate the authority to execute the permits/agreements to the Director of the Health and Human Services Agency, or designee.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
On February 26, 2013, the Board of Supervisors approved County Ordinance No. 4991, the County Emergency Medical Service and Medical Transportation Ordinance (that added Chapter 8.74 to the County Ordinance Code) which established operating areas, standards and requirements for emergency and non-emergency medical services including personnel and training, equipment and supplies, response times, communications and medical transportation in accordance with Health and Safety Code Section 1797.200 et seq.
On March 28, 2017, the Board of Supervisors approved the use of an application and permitting process for the EMS Agency, specific to Interfacility Transfers (IFTs) and Critical Care Transports (CCTs) (File ID: 17-0258; Agenda Item 20), and also adopted a Resolution delegating authority to execute said agreements to the Director of the Health and Human Services Agency, or designee, which has been an efficient and effective process. Staff is now recommending that a similar process be approved with regard to provision of non-transporting ALS services.
Historically, the ambulance transportation Contractor(s) have subcontracted for ALS Non-Transport /ALS Assessment Units through their Member Agency agreements. However, County Ordinance Section 8.74.060 specifies that the provision of ALS services utilizing EMS personnel certified at the ALS or Limited ALS level requires a contract with the County. Similar to the IFT/CCT permitting process, this permitting application agreement for ALS Non-Transport Units or ALS Assessment Units will fulfill the ordinance contract requirement and provide a standardized permit application process and agreement.
HHSA has proposed applying the Permitting Application Agreement (Contract Application) fee ($397 per agency, every three years) to this process, under a separate item (18-0687). If the Board chooses to apply the fee, HHSA will recover approximately 15% of its costs for processing the Permitting Application Agreement.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose to decline to authorize the attached ALS Non-Transport Unit / ALS Assessment Unit boilerplate agreement which would require the EMS Agency to negotiate each agreement individually and to return to the Board for approval of each contract.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel and Risk Management
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The estimated cost of staff time required to process permitting applications is difficult to estimate, as it will vary based on the number of applications. The Board may choose to adopt fees, as proposed in item 18-0687, which would result in recovery approximately 15% of HHSA's costs for processing the Permitting Application Agreement.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on attached Resolution, and provide two (2) signed copies to HHSA Contracts Unit at 3057 Briw Road.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
County Strategic Plan - Goal #1 Public Safety: Protects the community, prevents crime, enforces the law, administers justice, provides rehabilitative services, and promptly responds to emergencies and calls for service.
CONTACT
Patricia Charles-Heathers, Ph.D., M.P.A., Director