Subject:
Title
Advanced Life Support First Responder Agreement with 16 municipalities and independent fire districts.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Sitting as the Pinellas County Emergency Medical Services Authority, approve the Advanced Life Support First Responder Agreement with 16 municipalities and independent fire districts.
• Agreement with 16 municipalities and fire districts to provide Advanced Life Support First Responder services.
• Initial five-year term beginning on October 1, 2019 and ending on September 30, 2024. This agreement will also have the option for one additional five-year extension.
• Funding in the amount of $38,321,747 is consistent with the Fiscal Year 2020 Tentative Budget for the Emergency Medical Services Fund.
Authorize the Chairman to sign and the Clerk of the Court to attest.
Body
Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.1 Provide planning, coordination, prevention, and protective services to ensure a safe and secure community
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.1 Maximize partner relationships and public outreach
5.3 Ensure effective and efficient delivery of county services and support
Summary:
The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Authority has determined that a single-tier all Advanced Life Support EMS system with a First Responder component is in the best interest of public safety, health, and welfare.
The EMS Authority desires to contract with various municipalities and independent special fire districts in the County to provide ALS First Responder Services per the attached agreements.
Background Information:
On September 26, 2017, the Board of County Commissioners, sitting as the EMS Authority, approved the current Advanced Life Support (ALS) First Responder Agreement with 18 municipalities and independent fire districts.
The current agreement will expire on September 30, 2019.
The EMS Authority and First Responder agencies now desire to enter into a new ALS First Responder Agreement with an initial five-year term beginning on October 1, 2019 and ending on September 30, 2024. This new agreement will also have the option for one additional five-year extension.
There are several enhancements to the ALS First Responder Program contained in the attached agreements:
Gulfport - Rescue 17 staffing (+1 24/7 Paramedic). City providing Rescue Unit.
Largo - Rescue Lieutenant 42 (24/7).
Lealman - EMS Administrative Coordinator (40 hour).
Oldsmar - Increases EMS Coordination partial funding by 25% to 75% of the FTE.
Palm Harbor - Implements Rescue 65 with existing staffing; provides for a Rescue Unit; adds EMS Administrative Coordinator (40 hour).
Pinellas Park - Rescue Lieutenant 35 (24/7).
Seminole - EMS Administrative Coordinator (40 hour).
South Pasadena - EMS Coordination partial funding from 50% to 75% of the FTE.
Treasure Island - Rescue 24 (+1 24/7 Paramedic) staffing mid fiscal year. City providing Rescue Unit.
The enhancements address needs for additional EMS supervision tailored to each contractor’s needs based upon the number of ALS First Responder units. Through retirements and promotions, >50% of field Paramedics have less than five (5) years working in the EMS System. This requires additional training, coaching, and supervision to ensure continued high-quality services. In addition, through quality improvement initiatives, there are additional and expanded requirements for EMS Coordinators.
The added Rescue Units address system needs:
Gulfport - call volume is increasing; as proposed the City will operate Engine 17 as a contractor funded ALS Unit which will provide two ALS Units in the service area.
Palm Harbor - the service area (US 19 and Tampa Road) has a high call volume which currently provides two Authority funded positions. They are currently on ALS Engine 65 and ALS Squad 65. The positions will be aligned to operate a Rescue Unit. The District will continue to operate Engine 65 and Squad 65 as contractor funded ALS Units.
Treasure Island - The service area is geographically isolated. As proposed the City will operate Engine 24 as a contractor funded ALS Unit. This will provide two ALS Units in the service area which will maintain EMS and Fire coverage when there is a Fire or EMS call and will allow on-duty training which isn’t possible with one unit.
The enhancements will be implemented over two fiscal years through mid-year funding in FY19-20 and full funding in FY20-21. The only exception is Seminole in which the new position will be funded fully in FY19-20 to account for immediate operational needs. FY19-20 enhancements are approximately $1.3M and estimated to be $2.1M which will be based upon FY20-21 budget submissions.
Both the Data Driven Focus Group (Fire Chiefs and County Staff) and the EMS Advisory Council support the proposed enhancements.
Fiscal Impact:
Funding in the amount of $38,321,747 is consistent with the Fiscal Year 2020 Tentative Budget for the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Fund. The fiscal impact of these agreements is sustainable over the 6-year EMS Fund forecast period, although capacity is not forecast for additional enhancements beyond those referenced above.
Staff Member Responsible:
James G. Fogarty, Director, Safety and Emergency Services
Partners:
City of Clearwater
City of Dunedin
East Lake Tarpon Special Fire Control District
City of Gulfport
City of Largo
Lealman Special Fire Control District
City of Madeira Beach
City of Oldsmar
Palm Harbor Special Fire Control & Rescue District
City of Pinellas Park
Pinellas Suncoast Fire & Rescue District
City of Safety Harbor
City of Seminole
City of South Pasadena
City of Tarpon Springs
City of Treasure Island
Attachments:
ALS First Responder Agreement - Clearwater
ALS First Responder Agreement - Dunedin
ALS First Responder Agreement - East Lake
ALS First Responder Agreement - Gulfport
ALS First Responder Agreement - Largo
ALS First Responder Agreement - Lealman
ALS First Responder Agreement - Madeira Beach
ALS First Responder Agreement - Oldsmar
ALS First Responder Agreement - Palm Harbor
ALS First Responder Agreement - Pinellas Park
ALS First Responder Agreement - Pinellas Suncoast
ALS First Responder Agreement - Safety Harbor
ALS First Responder Agreement - Seminole
ALS First Responder Agreement - South Pasadena
ALS First Responder Agreement - Tarpon Springs
ALS First Responder Agreement - Treasure Island