REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF INLAND COUNTIES EMERGENCY MEDICAL AGENCY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
August 5, 2025
FROM
DANIEL MUÑOZ, Interim EMS Administrator, Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency
SUBJECT
Title
Authorization Agreement with the Independence Fire Protection District for Basic and Limited Advanced Life Support Transport Services
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Acting as the governing body of the Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency, approve Authorization Agreement with Independence Fire Protection District to provide Basic Life Support and Limited Advanced Life Support transport services within the specified exclusive operating area of Inyo County, and during mutual aid responses, for a period of five years, effective August 5, 2025 through August 4, 2030, in the amount dictated by applicable annual fees.
(Presenter: Daniel Muñoz, Interim EMS Administrator, 388-5823)
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). Applicable annual fees include medical oversight and emergency medical services vehicle inspections, currently $2,500 per agency and $500 per vehicle respectively, are outlined in Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency’s (ICEMA) annual fee resolution. Sufficient appropriation and revenue has been included in ICEMA’s 2025-26 budget and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
ICEMA, as the Local Emergency Medical Services Agency (LEMSA), is responsible for ensuring effective EMS for the Counties of San Bernardino, Inyo, and Mono. 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.
ICEMA has statutory medical control over all EMS providers within its EMS jurisdiction. ICEMA also reviews provider staffing, drugs, equipment, record keeping, communications and training to assure compliance with ICEMA standards and requirements. The State agency, Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA), requires all providers of Advanced Life Support (ALS) services be authorized by the LEMSA 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.
Independence Fire Protection District (IFPD) is the volunteer fire department who provides EMS services in the exclusive operating area comprised of Independence and surrounding rural areas in Inyo County. Historically, IFPD has provided Basic Life Support (BLS) level EMS services and did not require authorization from ICEMA.
Being a rural area, Independence is approximately one hour from any ALS capable agencies (hospital or ALS transport agency). To better serve the community, IFPD has recognized the need for an increased level of EMS services while balancing the capabilities of a rural workforce. The Limited ALS (LALS) authorization will allow IFPD additional capabilities, above the BLS level of services, which can be life-saving during a critical emergency. These capabilities include, but are not limited to, administering select medications and starting intravenous solutions, commonly known as IVs.
ICEMA recommends approval of this LALS authorization agreement as it will allow IFPD to provide additional life-saving interventions to the rural community they preside over.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (John Tubbs II, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on July 10, 2025; Risk Management (Greg Ustaszewski, Staff Analyst II, 386-9008) on July 10, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Carl Lofton, Administrative Analyst, 387-5404) on July 17, 2025.