FISCAL IMPACT:
This amendment is funded by 63% Measure H funds and 37% County General Fund. The $170,000 County General Fund share will be transferred from the County Administrator's Office to Health Services, Service Area EM-1 Zone B (cost center 7406).
BACKGROUND:
On December 11th, 2012 the Board of Supervisors directed Contra Costa Health Services Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to conduct an independent EMS System re-evaluation and to report findings and recommendations to the Board of Supervisors. The Board further directed EMS and County administrator to work together to expand the study to include an evaluation of fire services related to EMS. In November 2011, the County Administrator approved and the Purchasing Services Manager executed Contract #23-333-3 (as amended by Contract Extension Agreements #23-333-4 and #23-333-5) with Fitch & Associates, LLC, to conduct an independent study and evaluation of County’s Emergency Medical Services (“EMS”) funding, identify potential new funding, and present the results to the Health Services Director, for the period from October 24, 2011 through December 31, 2013.
Approval of Contract Amendment Agreement #23-333-6 will allow Contractor to conduct an expanded study for the County’s EMS Modernization Project, through January 31, 2014.
This project is envisioned to identify strategic objectives to assist in making public policy decisions for the future delivery of EMS and community healthcare to residents and visitors of Contra Costa County. Including but not limited to:
• Evaluate current and alternative fire first responder and ambulance EMS service delivery to effectively respond to incidents of acute illness or injury
• Establish mechanisms to achieve appropriate response to disasters, multiple casualty incidents, and other events requiring additional surge capacity of providers
• Review and update ambulance ordinance to support EMS System enhancement
• Review dispatch procedures and protocols based on best evidence beneficial to patient outcomes
• Strategically enhance EMS services to match healthcare resources with patients’ illnesses, injuries, or social needs
• Integrate EMS service delivery into County’s system to include prevention, early identification, resource allocation, care delivery, transportation, and definitive care
• Prepare system for modern out-of-hospital initiatives for EMS providers such as, treat and release, alternative destinations, referral to most appropriate resources, community paramedicine, etc.
• Expand funding sources and allocate resources to further accomplish system objectives
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If this amendment is not approved, the Contractor will not provide the additional study that will evaluate short and long term actions to address substantive issues impacting EMS, fire, ambulance and community healthcare in Contra Costa County.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
Not Applicable.
CLERK'S ADDENDUM
Speakers: Raymond Bradley, Chief of Orinda-Moraga Fire Protection District; Jack Barton, Chief of San Ramon Valley Fire District; Darryl Louder, Chief of Contra Costa Fire Protection District; Vince Wells, President, Local 1230; Leslie Mueller, American Medical Response; Vito Impastato, Local 1230; Lance Maples, Chief of El Cerrito Fire Protection District; Bill Granados, Fire Advisory Commission.
ACCEPTED and APPROVED the recommendations as presented; DIRECTED this matter be referred to the Public Protection Committee and the Contra Costa Fire Protection District Board of Directors for their consideration at their next meeting, and that they be provided with regular updates on the status of the study.