REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF INLAND COUNTIES EMERGENCY MEDICAL AGENCY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
June 10, 2025
FROM
DANIEL MUÑOZ, Interim EMS Administrator, Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency
SUBJECT
Title
Emergency Medical Services Aircraft Medical Control Permits
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Acting as the governing body of the Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency, authorize issuance of Aircraft Medical Control permits to the following entities to provide Emergency Medical Services for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026:
1. Mercy Air Service, Inc.
2. Mercy Air Service, Inc. doing business as Big Bear Fire Authority
3. San Bernardino County Sheriff
4. REACH Air Medical Services, doing business as REACH Air
5. REACH Air Medical Services, doing business as Sierra Lifeflight
6. State of California, doing business as California Highway Patrol - Inland Division Air Operations
(Presenter: Daniel Muñoz, Interim EMS Administrator, 388-5807)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). Issuance of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Aircraft Medical Control permits to the entities detailed in the Recommendation above, as promulgated by Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency (ICEMA) Ordinance No. 17-01 and ICEMA Fee Ordinance Resolution No. 2025-62, is projected to generate revenue of approximately $35,000 in 2025-26 for the recovery of costs directly associated with the provision of medical control for EMS Aircraft providers. This revenue will be included in ICEMA’s 2025-26 recommended budget.
No permit revenue will be received from the State of California, doing business as California Highway Patrol - Inland Division Air Operations, as this provider is classified by the State EMS Authority, pursuant to California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 9, Chapter 7, Section 100167 and is statutorily exempt from providing cost recovery.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
ICEMA, as the local EMS agency, is responsible for planning and ensuring effective EMS for the Counties of San Bernardino, Inyo, and Mono, including EMS Aircraft within its EMS plan. ICEMA administers State and local policies and regulations governing the provision of emergency medical care to the sick and injured at the scene of an emergency and during transport to an acute care hospital.
ICEMA is requesting approval to issue EMS Aircraft Medical Control permits to the six entities in
the Recommendation to provide EMS Aircraft services in San Bernardino County for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.
On April 18, 2017 (Item No. 73), the Board of Directors (Board) adopted Ordinance No. 17-01 pertaining to the medical control of EMS Aircraft services and providers with San Bernardino, Inyo, and Mono Counties. The ordinance established a revised permit policy and fee resolution related to EMS Aircraft provider authorization and requires Board approval to issue EMS Aircraft Medical Control permits. The policy outlines the requirements for authorization to provide EMS Aircraft services and established a mechanism of ensuring EMS providers meet established criteria for designation as an EMS Aircraft provider. ICEMA has determined that the six entities have submitted permit applications that meet established requirements including, but not limited to, the following:
• Compliance with the California EMS Aircraft Personnel Requirements
• Participation in ICEMA Electronic Patient Care Reporting Data System
• Compliance with ICEMA Policy No. 7020 - EMS Aircraft Standard Drug & Equipment List
• Compliance with all Federal, State, County and ICEMA laws, regulations, guidelines, and policies
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (John Tubbs II, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on April 17, 2025; Finance (Carl Lofton, Administrative Analyst, 387-5404) on May 22, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Robert Saldana, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on May 23, 2025.