Subject:
Title
Amendment to the Advanced Life Support First Responder Agreement with three municipalities.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Sitting as the Pinellas County Emergency Medical Services Authority, approve the amendment to the Advanced Life Support (ALS) First Responder Agreement with three municipalities.
• Amendment to the agreements with three municipalities to provide ALS First Responder services.
• These amendments continue the 5-year term beginning on October 1, 2024, and ending on September 30, 2029.
• The agreements will amend the 2024 ALS First Responder Agreements as outlined below.
• The Baseline Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Budget Request increase is $543,405.00 or 4.3%, due to the addition of the new Redington Beach Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Station, projected for completion in 2026, adding one seat for $749,036.00 and bringing the increase to 10.2% over FY24-25.
• Dunedin will operate the Authority’s Major Incident Support Unit. The Major Incident Support Unit is not an ALS First Responder Unit.
• Funding in the amount of $13,977,491.00 is included in the ALS First Responder Agreements in the FY26 Budget for Safety and Emergency Services Department within the EMS Fund. Funding for future years is dependent on approval in the annual County Operating Budget. While funding for the Major Incident Response Support Unit in Dunedin was not specifically included in the FY26 Budget, any costs associated with it will be absorbed. The fiscal impacts of these agreements are sustainable over the 6-year EMS Fund forecast period.
Authorize the Chairman to sign and the Clerk of the Circuit Court to attest.
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Strategic Priorities:
Healthy and Safe Communities
2.1 Improve public health
2.2 Enhance community safety
Smart Service Delivery
4.2 Achieve and maintain a high level of customer satisfaction.
4.4 Pursue continuous improvement
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:
On October 29, 2024, the Board of County Commissioners, sitting as the EMS Authority, approved the current ALS First Responder Agreements with 3 municipalities.
The current agreements will expire on September 30, 2029.
The proposed amendments would implement system updates and adjust funding to meet budget requests that complied with the County EMS allowable cost standards.
Specific updates include:
- Updates all Appendix A’s for Funding, Authority Funded and Contractor Funded Units, and EMS Capital plans for Rescue Units, Medic Units and Staff vehicles.
- Phased implementation of additional resources to meet EMS System needs that were approved in the 2024 ALS First Responder Agreement:
- Dunedin: Full year implementation of Major Incident Support Unit. Vehicle(s) provided by the Authority and equipped to rehabilitate emergency personnel operating at the scene of major or extended emergency operations. The capabilities will include medical monitoring, cooling chamber, hydration and nutrition support, decontamination showers, and rest rooms. Rehabilitation of emergency personnel will ensure they receive appropriate decontamination, rest, relief from extreme climatic conditions after emergency operations. The Authority shall purchase, own, insure, fuel, and maintain the Major Incident Support Unit. The unit may also be called upon for coverage at Special Events and large-scale Fire and EMS training or special operations training including, but not limited to, mass casualty drills and active assailant training. The Major Incident Support Unit is not an ALS First Responder Unit.
- Madeira Beach: Includes full year implementation of the Redington Beach Medic Unit position approved in the 2024 ALS First Responder Agreement.
Updated Appendix E to streamline reimbursement processes and forms:
- Appendix E updated for Continuing Medical Education (CME) Instructors, Public Education, Countywide Quality Improvement Committees, and Advanced Practice Paramedic Training.
Fiscal Impact:
Funding Adjustments
Section 701(h) of the Emergency Medical Services ALS First Responder Agreement provides for an extraordinary budget increase which must be negotiated and approved prior to the beginning of the next fiscal year in the event any proposed budget submitted by the Contractor should exceed 3.0% of the prior Fiscal Year’s budget. These funding adjustments include:
Allowable EMS Cost Increases over 3.00%
• Dunedin - $284,829 or 10.3%
• Madeira Beach - $75,353 or 10.3%
These increases are based upon the submitted budgets for FY25-26 and will be subject to audit for EMS Allowable costs. The cost drivers are driven largely by increased personnel costs, fully funding Dunedin’s Major Incident Support Unit, and the budgeted position for the new Redington Rescue Station that was submitted by Madeira Beach. Funding for the Major Incident Response Support Unit in Dunedin was not included within Dunedin’s ALSFR budget submittal or the FY26 Adopted Budget. Any costs associated with the unit will need to be absorbed within the EMS Fund or may need a budget amendment request if the costs are unable to be absorbed.
Note: Clearwater was less than 3.0%.
Funding in the amount of $13,977,491 for the 3 agencies is consistent with the FY25-26 Adopted Budget for the Emergency Medical Services Fund. The fiscal impacts of these agreements are sustainable over the 6-year EMS Fund forecast period.
Staff Member Responsible:
James G. Fogarty, Director, Safety and Emergency Services
Partners:
City of Clearwater
City of Dunedin
City of Madeira Beach
Attachments:
ALS First Responder Amendment 1 - Clearwater
ALS First Responder Amendment 1 - Dunedin
ALS First Responder Amendment 1 - Madeira Beach
2024 ALS First Responder Agreement - Clearwater
2024 ALS First Responder Agreement - Dunedin
2024 ALS First Responder Agreement - Madeira Beach