Subject:
Title
Continuing Medical Education Agreement with cities and independent fire districts.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Sitting as the Pinellas County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Authority, approve the Continuing Medical Education (CME) Agreement with cities and independent fire districts.
Authorize the Chairman to sign and the Clerk 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
5.3 Ensure effective and efficient delivery of county services and support
Summary:
The EMS Authority and the Provider Agencies for first responder services and ambulance services desire to mutually cooperate in order to implement and maintain a CME training program which meets the needs of paramedics and EMTs to be skilled in patient assessment and care modalities.
Contractors understand that the EMS Authority is responsible for the provision of CME instruction and if the pool of CME Instructors made available by the Contractors is deemed inadequate or insufficient by the Authority, the Authority may elect to provide the CME program directly or through another means.
Background Information:
Pursuant to Chapter 401, Florida Statutes, Chapter 64J-1, Florida Administrative Code and Pinellas County EMS Rules and Regulations, Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) must meet certain CME requirements in order to be certified to provide emergency medical services in Pinellas County.
The program provides for an efficient model of centralized training support by EMS & Fire Administration with standardized training curriculum approved by the EMS Medical Director; a countywide online learning management system; and support for the CME Instructors and training sites.
The CME Instructors function through decentralized provider-based model with the Instructors being employed by the Provider Agencies and serving as Instructors on an as needed basis. By having decentralized training sites out of service times for first responder units are reduced. First responders train locally and are available to their immediate community in the event of an emergency. As an EMS allowable cost, county staff review and approve all Instructor reimbursement requests.
Fiscal Impact:
Expenditure for Fiscal Year 2016 (FY16) not-to-exceed $500,000.00
This Agreement is retroactive to October 1, 2015. Performance has been ongoing since that date.
Staff Member Responsible:
Michael Cooksey, Director, Safety and Emergency Services
Partners:
Cities of Clearwater, Dunedin, Gulfport, Largo, Madeira Beach, Oldsmar, Pinellas Park, Safety Harbor, Seminole, St. Pete Beach, St. Petersburg, South Pasadena, Tarpon Springs and Treasure Island. Districts of East Lake Tarpon Special Fire Control District, Lealman Special Fire Control District, Palm Harbor Special Fire Control and Rescue District, Pinellas Suncoast Fire & Rescue District and Sunstar Paramedics.
Pinellas County EMS Medical Control Board
Attachments:
CME Agreement - Final
CME Agreement - Markup
CME Instructor Reimbursement Form