HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/20/1988, 5 - CONSIDERATION OF UPGRADING THE CITY'S EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESPONSE TO A PARAMEDIC SERVICE LEVEL city 0f San LUIS OBISPO ISPnt. 20- 1988
MEETING GATE
WQ; COUNCIL AGEN A REPORT ITEM N
FROM: Michael P. Dolder, Fire Chief
SUBJECT:
Consideration of upgrading the City's emergency medical response to a Paramedic Service Level
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution establishing a new policy that the City of San Luis Obispo provides EMT-P
(Paramedic) services through the City's Fire Department and appropriate $23,924 in additional funds
from the General Fund for the Fire Department's Emergency Medical Service program.
BACKGROUND:
At the September 13, 1988 adjourned regular meeting, the City Council considered policy alternatives
and fiscal impacts for the Fire Department's participation in Emergency Medical Services including
upgrading to an EMT-P (Paramedic) service level. The seven alternatives considered were as follows:
1. Upgrade the Fire Department's ALS service from EMT-II to a Paramedic level and provide City
operated ambulance service (City operated ambulance can only be considered after 1992).
2. Upgrade the Fire Department's ALS service from EMT-II to a Paramedic level in combination
with a non-dedicated private Paramedic ambulance.
3. Upgrade the Fire Department's ALS Service from EMT-11 to a Paramedic level with a dedicated
BLS private ambulance service.
4. Continue the Fire Department's EMT-11 service with a non-dedicated Private Paramedic
Ambulance.
5. Reduce the Fire Department's service level from EMT-I[ to EMT-ID (Upgrade of EMT-I skills to
allow defibrillation) with a Dedicated Private Paramedic Ambulance.
6. Reduce the Fire Department's service level from EMT-I[ to EMT-I with a Dedicated Private
Paramedic Ambulance
7. Reduce the Fire Department's service level from EMT-I[ to EMT-I with a Non-Dedicated Private
Paramedic Ambulance
The pros and cons of each alternative and specific fiscal impacts are discussed iri the September 13,
1988 staff report. On a 5/0 vote, the City Council directed staff to prepare a policy statement for
their consideration of upgrading the Fire Department advanced life support service to an EMT-
Paramedic service level including appropriating $23,924 from the General Fund. Council also
directed staff to include the Paramedic policy in the Fire Master Plan and address long term funding
options, ambulance alternatives, costs and consequences of the alternatives. Staff will take the
necessary advanced action to allow Council to review the current Ambulance Regulatory Contract
with San Luis Obispo County.
Fiscal Impact
The Finance Director has reviewed this report and concurs that sufficient General Fund balance is
available to support the increased program efforts ($23,924) during Fiscal Year 1988/89.
Recommendation:
Adopt resolution establishing a new policy that the City of San Luis Obispo provides EMT-Paramedic
Services through the City's Fire Department (Alternative #2) and appropriate $23,924 from Lhe
General Fund to the Fire Department's operating budget to implement the program.
S-/
RESOLUTION NO. (1988 Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
ESTABLISHING A NEW FIRE DEPARTMENT PARAMEDIC SERVICE
POLICY AND APPROPRIATING $23,924 FROM THE GENERAL FUND.
WHEREAS, the City Fire Department has been providing advanced life support service at
the EMT-1I level since 1982; and
WHEREAS, The advanced life support service level has been increased to allow a
paramedic level by the Board of Supervisors; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of San Luis Obispo will significantly benefit from the increased
emergency medical services; and
WHEREAS, a dedicated city paramedic service level can be provided by the Fire
Department at a reasonable cost; and
WHEREAS, there are sufficient general funds available to appropriate the $23,924 cost
increase;
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council resolves that it rescinds the Fire Department
EMT-II program policy and establishes a new Fire Department EMT-Paramedic policy
(Exhibit #1) and appropriates $23,924 from the General Fund.
On motion of seconded by
the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted this day of
1988.
MAYOR RON DUNIN
ATTEST:
Pam Voges, City Clerk ��
Resolution No. (1988 Series)
Page two
APPROVED:
qty Adm nistrative Officer
City Att rney
Fina dvr6 Director
Fire Chief
5- 3
POLICY STATEMENT EXHIBIT #1
FIRE DEPARTMENT EMT-PARAMEDIC PROGRAM
Background
In 1975, the Fire Department started responding a rescue squad with Emergency Medical Technician I
(EMT-I) personnel to auto accidents and emergency medical calls. In 1982, the department responded
to approximately 1,200 medical calls and completed training of all personnel to an EMT-I level. The
San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors in December of 1981 approved a private non-profit
corporation to administer an Advanced Life Support Program (EMT-II).
In 1983, Fire Department EMT-II's began responding to emergency medical calls. During the years of
1984 through 1988 the department responded to an average of 300 Advanced Life Support (EMT-II)
calls per year and an average of 1,400 ALS and BLS emergency medical calls per year.
In April, 1988 the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution to upgrade
county emergency services to Paramedic level.
Fire Department studies estimate that an additional 120 people per year in the City could benefit
from Paramedic service over EMT-II service.
Policy Statement
The City of San Luis Obispo will provide Paramedic service through the City's Fire Department. Fire
Department personnel, in conjunction with ambulance-trained personnel will provide Advanced Life
Support to the citizens of the City within six minutes of a request. The Fire Department will not
transport patients except in an extreme emergency when no ambulance is available.
The City will continue to consider the appropriation of General Fund monies (on a pro rate basis with
other cities within the county) to maintain the level of training and quality of care stated in this
policy. The City has the expectation that the County of San Luis Obispo will participate as a lead
agency in the Paramedic program.
Action
The cost for this increased level of service during fiscal year 1988-90 will be approximately $70,164.
The Fire Department costs are to be provided from the general fund and will cover class tuition and
overtime for the additional required training. Expendable medical supplies, in-service training, and
program administrative costs are to be borne by the base station hospitals.
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