Agenda

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FINANCE COMMITTEE

Meeting Date:	02/24/2014
Submitted For:	Jeff Carman
Department:	Contra Costa Fire Protection Dist.
Referral No.:	1/21/2014 C.41
Referral Name:	Review of implementation of an EMS First-Responder Fee to offset expenses incurred while providing Emergency Medical Services on over 35,000 incident annually
Presenter:	Jeff Carman, Fire Chief	Contact:	Jeff Carman, Fire Chief (925) 941-3318

Information

Referral History:

On January 21, 2014 the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Fire Chief requested that the Board of Supervisors consider implementation of an EMS First-Responder Fee to offset expenses incurred while providing Emergency Medical Services on over 35,000 incident annually.

Referral Update:

See attached report.

Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):

Consider implementation of an EMS First-Responder Fee to offset expenses incurred while providing Emergency Medical Services on over 35,000 incident annually.

Fiscal Impact (if any):

The Fire Protection District Law of 1987 provides clear direction on fiscal management and case law in California offers logical solutions such as EMS cost recovery for advanced life support (ALS) first responder fees. Insurance companies throughout the State currently pay reimbursements to first responder agencies for these services. EMS cost recovery is a reasonable mechanism for the District to recoup some of its operating expenses for providing these essential services to the community. Based on a conservative collection expectation, the Fire District estimates there is a potential to generate over one-million dollars annually. Insurance companies will provide reimbursement for emergency medical services and there will be no impact to those patients who are uninsured. These fees are currently being collected by other fire agencies within Contra Costa County and around the state and the program has proven to be very successful.

Attachments
First Responder Fee Report