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C. 5

To:	Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Board of Directors
From:	Jeff Carman, Chief, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District
Date:	November 13, 2018

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Contract Amendment for Fire District Emergency Medical Service Physician Oversight

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 11/13/2018

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, Director
Candace Andersen, Director
Diane Burgis, Director
Karen Mitchoff, Director
Federal D. Glover, Director

Contact:

Terence Carey, Assistant Fire Chief EMS (925) 941-3300 x 1104

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: November 13, 2018
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Fire Chief, or designee, to execute a contract amendment with Peter Benson, M.D. to increase the payment limit by $360,000 to a new payment limit of $720,000 for emergency ambulance and fire-based emergency medical services physician oversight with no change to term of May 1, 2017, through April 30, 2020.

FISCAL IMPACT:

An additional $360,000 over 18 months, offset by ambulance service receivables: 100% CCCFPD EMS Transport Fund (fund 204000).

BACKGROUND:

The terms and conditions of the Emergency Ambulance Services Contract between the Contra Costa County Emergency Medical Services Agency (CCCEMSA) and the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (District) require that the Contractor (District) retain a California licensed physician as its chief medical adviser to enforce internal standards of excellence in medical care and serve as liaison between the District, CCCEMSA, and American Medical Response.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

The District has been working with Peter Benson, M.D. since May 2014, to provide physician oversight for 1) the District's fire-based emergency medical services (EMS) program and 2) the District's 911 exclusive operator ambulance program. Over the last year, the District has expanded his duties to include:

1. Providing medical oversight of the District's academy training program (evaluating if recruits are being worked too hard, if adequate hydration and rest periods are being provided, if OSHA’s heat related guidelines are met, etc.);
2. Assisting the District in potential legal issues related to OSHA regulations;
3. Overseeing the District's CPR HD pilot program, reviewing all CPR incidents and documenting outcomes;
4. Working with the District's current medical surveillance provider to assure all personnel are meeting the requirements for respiratory and blood born pathogen protection;
5. Working with the District's safety division on the development of the new cancer prevention program which involves the elimination of cancer causing agents from the District's stations, reduction in exposure to cancer causing agents on the fire ground, and the early detection of cancer in personnel.

The level of service provided by Dr. Benson have doubled, with his time being split between the EMS division and other duties as assigned by the Fire Chief. Due to the increased level of service being provided by Dr. Benson, it is necessary to amend the payment limit of the contract.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

The terms and conditions of the Emergency Ambulance Services Contract between CCCEMSA and the District require that the Contractor (District) retain a California licensed physician as its chief medical adviser.

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

Approximately 10% of emergency medical service responses involve children under the age of 15.