Subject:
Title
Advanced Life Support First Responder Agreement with the Cities of St. Pete Beach and St. Petersburg.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Sitting as the Pinellas County Emergency Medical Services Authority, approve the Advanced Life Support First Responder Agreement with the Cities of St. Pete Beach and St. Petersburg.
• Agreement with the Cities of St. Pete Beach and St. Petersburg to provide advanced life support first responder services.
• If approved all First Responder Agreements with municipalities and independent fire districts are completed.
• This Agreement continues the initial five-year term beginning on October 1, 2019 and ending on September 30, 2024. The agreement has the option for one additional five-year extension.
• There are several enhancements to the ALS First Responder Program contained in the attached agreements:
a.) Additional staffed ALS Units to meet EMS System needs:
b.) St. Petersburg - Add Rescue 13 (+1 24/7 Paramedic position). Call volume has met the threshold for a Rescue Unit in the Gateway area as proposed the City will operate Engine 13 as a contractor funded ALS Unit which will provide two ALS Units in the service area with the addition of Rescue 13. County will provide funding for a Rescue Vehicle.
• Allowable EMS Cost Increases over 3.00%:
a.) Pete Beach - $259,616 or 12.29%
b.) St. Petersburg - $1,971,659 or 12.05% (inclusive of Rescue 13)
• These increases are based upon the submitted budgets for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-2023 and will be subject to audit for EMS Allowable costs. The cost drivers are driven largely by increases in salary, retirement contributions based upon recent changes in actuarial assumptions, and other increased allowable costs such as fuel.
• Both the Data Driven Focus Group (Fire Chiefs and County Staff) and the EMS Advisory Council support the proposed enhancements.
• This agreement is a consolidated and restated agreement that incorporates prior amendments and the current amendments.
• Funding in the amount of $20,702,057.00 is consistent with the FY22-23 adopted budget for the Emergency Medical Services Fund.
Authorize the Chairman to sign and the Clerk of the Circuit Court to attest.
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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:
Summary
The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Authority has determined that an Advanced Life Support 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.
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Background Information:
In 2019, 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, 2024.
The EMS Authority and First Responder agencies now desire to enter into a consolidated and restated ALS First Responder Agreement that maintains the 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:
Additional staffed ALS Units to meet EMS System needs:
St. Petersburg - Add Rescue 13 (+1 24/7 Paramedic position). Call volume has met the threshold for a Rescue Unit in the Gateway area; as proposed the City will operate Engine 13 as a contractor funded ALS Unit which will provide two ALS Units in the service area with the addition of Rescue 13. County will provide funding for a Rescue Vehicle.
Allowable EMS Cost Increases over 3.00%:
• St Pete Beach - $259,616 or 12.29%
• St. Petersburg - $1,971,659 or 12.05% (inclusive of Rescue 13)
These increases are based upon the submitted budgets for FY22-23 and will be subject to audit for EMS Allowable costs. The cost drivers are driven largely by increases in salary, retirement contributions based upon recent changes in actuarial assumptions, and other increased allowable costs such as fuel.
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 $20,702,057 is consistent with the Fiscal Year 22-23 Adopted Budget for the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Fund. The fiscal impact of these agreements is sustainable over the 6-year EMS Fund forecast period.
Staff Member Responsible:
James G. Fogarty, Director, Safety and Emergency Services
Partners:
City of St. Pete Beach
City of St. Petersburg
Attachments:
ALS First Responder Agreement - St. Pete Beach
ALS First Responder Agreement - St. Petersburg