REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF THE INLAND COUNTIES EMERGENCY MEDICAL AGENCY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
February 27, 2024
FROM
DANIEL MUÑOZ, Interim EMS Administrator, Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency
SUBJECT
Title
Authorization Agreement with Consolidated Fire Agencies for Basic and Advanced Life Support Ambulance Transport Services
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Acting as the governing body of the Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency, approve an authorization agreement with the Consolidated Fire Agencies to provide Basic and Advanced Life Support ambulance transport services within San Bernardino County non-exclusive operating areas, and during mutual aid responses, effective upon execution by all parties and continuing until terminated by either party.
(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.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this authorization agreement (Agreement) will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost), nor will it affect the budget of the Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency (ICEMA).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
ICEMA, as the Local Emergency Medical Services Agency (LEMSA), is responsible for ensuring effective emergency medical services (EMS) for San Bernardino, Inyo, and Mono counties. ICEMA administers State and local codes and regulations governing the provision of emergency medical care to the sick and injured at the scene of an emergency and during transport to a care hospital. California Health and Safety Code, Division 2.5, Section 1797.218, gives ICEMA, as the LEMSA, authority to authorize Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) EMS programs.
ICEMA has statutory medical control over all EMS providers within its EMS system. ICEMA also reviews provider staffing, drugs, equipment, record keeping, communications and training to assure compliance with ICEMA standards and requirements. State law requires all providers of ALS services be authorized by the local EMS agency under the terms of a written authorization agreement that outlines the provider’s EMS obligations and responsibilities. In addition, the provider is required to comply with ICEMA requirements for electronic patient care reports and data collection. Data received by virtue of this requirement will be made part of the ICEMA Quality Improvement Program used for the purpose of evaluating and improving the overall EMS system.
The Consolidated Fire Agencies (CONFIRE), a Joint Powers Authority consisting of fire districts and city fire departments within San Bernardino County, agrees to provide BLS transport, ALS transport, Interfacility Transport (IFT), and Critical Care Transport (CCT) ambulance services, and to comply with ICEMA protocols, policies, and procedures relating to the delivery of emergency medical care of the sick and injured at the scene of an emergency and during transport. This Agreement will authorize CONFIRE to provide EMS transport service in all San Bernardino County non-exclusive operating areas, and those exclusive operating areas (EOA) in which CONFIRE has entered into accompanying mutual aid agreement(s) with the approved EOA Provider.
Approval of this Agreement will authorize CONFIRE to provide ALS transport, BLS transport, IFT, and CCT service under mutual aid agreements in EOAs with other EOA providers. This Agreement regarding authorization to provide uninterrupted prehospital emergency medical services (EMS), including BLS transport services and ALS transport services when available, within San Bernardino County non-exclusive operating areas and under mutual aid agreements in EOAs with other EOA providers shall commence upon execution by all parties and shall remain in effect until terminated by either party, upon 90 days’ written notice.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (John Tubbs II, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on January 29, 2024; Risk Management (Victor Tordesillas, Director, 386-8623) on January 29, 2024; Finance (Carl Lofton, Administrative Analyst, 387-5404) on February 7, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Robert Saldana, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on February 12, 2024.