REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF INLAND COUNTIES EMERGENCY MEDICAL AGENCY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
March 11, 2025
FROM
Bradley Gates, Director, Workforce Development Department
SUBJECT
Title
Memorandum of Understanding to Create and Support an Emergency Medical Services Corps Program
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Acting as the governing body for San Bernardino County, approve non-financial Memorandum of Understanding, including non-standard terms, between San Bernardino County, through its Workforce Development Department, El Proyecto del Barrio, Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency, and Public Works Alliance, to create and support an Emergency Medical Services Corps Program, for a term of March 11, 2025 through January 31, 2027.
2. Acting as the governing body for Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency, approve non-financial Memorandum of Understanding, including non-standard terms, between Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency, El Proyecto del Barrio, San Bernardino County, through its Workforce Development Department, and Public Works Alliance, to create and support an Emergency Medical Services Corps Program, for a term of March 11, 2025 through January 31, 2027.
(Presenter: Bradley Gates, Director, 387-9856)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Create, Maintain and Grow Jobs and Economic Value in the County.
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). This is a non-financial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between El Proyecto del Barrio, Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency (ICEMA), the County, through its Workforce Development Department (SBCWDD), and Public Works Alliance (PWA) to create and support training for individuals for careers in emergency response occupations to meet the growing healthcare needs in the County.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The proposed MOU outlines a collaborative effort between several organizations to establish an Emergency Medical Service Corps program (Program) in the County. The Program aims to recruit and train individuals aged 18-26 to become Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) with Crafton Hills College providing academic instruction. The Program will offer three five-month cohorts per year, each accommodating up to 20 participants and prioritizes young people facing barriers to employment, such as housing insecurity, financial insecurity, and involvement in the justice system. The Program will provide comprehensive support, including mentorship, job placement, life coaching, and individual case management.
Each partner organization has specific responsibilities outlined in the MOU. El Proyecto del Barrio will serve as the administrative lead, manage finances and program staff, and cover the costs for each training participant. ICEMA will ensure compliance with state and national training standards. SBCWDD will connect participants with local support resources, and PWA will provide technical support and guidance as the Program intermediary. PWA established an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Corps national model to train EMT technicians, and helped secure a grant for El Proyecto del Barrio, a workforce service provider, to establish the model in San Bernardino County. PWA, to support the endeavor, seeks to establish a partnership with WDD and ICEMA, to ensure their services and expertise are available to bolster the effectiveness of the training model.
The MOU contains non-standard terms that require approval by the Board of Supervisors (Board) per County Policy 11-05. The non-standard terms include the following:
1. The MOU does not require El Proyecto del Barrio or PWA to indemnify the County or ICEMA, as required by County Policies 11-05 and 11-07.
• The County standard contract indemnity provision requires the contractor to indemnify, defend, and hold the County harmless from third party claims arising out of the acts, errors or omissions of any person.
• Potential Impact: Neither El Proyecto del Barrio nor PWA are not required to defend, indemnify or hold the County harmless from any claims, including indemnification for claims arising from a party’s negligent or intentional acts. In the event a claim arises, the County and/or ICEMA could be financially responsible for the defense of the claim and any resulting judgment/settlement.
2. The MOU does not require El Proyecto del Barrio or PWA to meet the County’s insurance standards as required pursuant to County Policy 11-07.
• The County Policy requires contractors to carry appropriate insurance at limits and under conditions determined by the County’s Risk Management Department and set forth in the County standard contract.
• Potential Impact: The MOU does not include County standard insurance requirements. The County and ICEMA rely on El Proyecto del Barrio’s and PWA’s assurances that they will be financially responsible for claims that may arise through the term of the MOU, potentially resulting in expenses to the County and/or ICEMA.
SBCWDD and ICEMA recommend approval of the MOU, including non-standard terms, so that the required services and trainings can be provided to the participants through the proposed Program.
ICEMA, as the local EMS agency, is responsible for ensuring effective EMS for the County. ICEMA administers State and local codes and regulations governing the certification of EMTs and EMT Training Programs, and the provision of emergency medical care to the sick and injured at the scene of an emergency and during transport to a care hospital.
The MOU shall commence on March 11, 2025 and shall remain in effect until January 31, 2027, unless terminated by any of the parties with written notice of 150 calendar days prior to the intended termination date. Any of the parties may terminate the MOU for cause if any of the other parties fail to fulfil their obligations under this MOU.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (John Tubbs II, and Sophie A. Curtis, Deputies County Counsel, 387-5455) on January 24, 2025; Finance (Carl Lofton, Administrative Analyst, 387-5404) February 21, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Robert Saldana, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on February 24, 2025.