REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
AND RECORD OF ACTION
REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
June 27, 2023
FROM
DAN MUNSEY, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, San Bernardino County Fire Protection District
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator
SUBJECT
Title
Non-Financial Memorandum of Understanding for Firefighter Paramedic Staffing
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Acting as the governing body of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, approve a non-financial Memorandum of Understanding with the San Bernardino County Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator, through its Emergency Operations Division, for staffing of two firefighter paramedics to support San Bernardino County Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator - Emergency Operation Division-Aviation Unit operations, by providing emergency medical services on rescue helicopters, for the period of June 27, 2023, through June 30, 2025.
2. Acting as the governing body of San Bernardino County, approve a non-financial Memorandum of Understanding with the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District for staffing of two firefighter paramedics to support San Bernardino County Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator - Emergency Operation Division-Aviation Unit operations, by providing emergency medical services on rescue helicopters, for the period of June 27, 2023, through June 30, 2025.
(Presenter: Scott Tuttle, Interim Deputy Chief, 387-5779)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
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 the recommended non-financial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). There are no additional costs associated with this MOU, as the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District (SBCFPD) will utilize existing firefighter paramedic staff to provide Emergency Medical Services (EMS) on the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator (Sheriff’s) rescue aviation units. Total staffing costs are estimated to be approximately $350,000 over the term of the MOU and will be funded with SBCFPD’s existing revenue sources. Sufficient appropriation related to this MOU is included in SBCFPD’s 2022-23 budget and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
SBCFPD is a community-based, all hazard emergency services organization providing various services dedicated to the protection of life and property of the public it serves. SBCFPD offers services beyond fire suppression and protection, and partners with various private and public collaborators to protect the community. Services and specialized programs include, but are not limited to, EMS, helicopter rescues, dozer services, fire hazard abatement and hazardous materials response. SBCFPD EMS firefighter paramedics administer advanced medical care to patients on ambulances and rescue helicopters while in transport to a qualified medical facility.
The Sheriff - Emergency Operation Division-Aviation Unit (Sheriff Aviation) is the lead aerial law enforcement agency that provides general law enforcement support, surveillance, personnel/cargo transport, search and rescue operations, wildland fire suppression and emergency medical transport services throughout San Bernardino County (County). Due to the continuous population growth and recent COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a substantial increase in the demand for firefighter paramedics to deliver immediate care and help transport patients for treatment during emergencies. To ensure public safety, the Sheriff is requesting firefighter paramedic staffing assistance from SBCFPD to support its Emergency Operations Division.
SBCFPD has been collaborating with the Sheriff since 2013 without a formal MOU. SBCFPD services were lowered during 2021 due to staff shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. While the staffing was restored in July 2022, it further revealed the importance of formalizing this collaboration and ensuring adequate staffing for air rescue service to county residents and visitors.
The recommended MOU will formalize the roles and responsibilities of both agencies for SBCFPD firefighter paramedics to serve on the Sheriff Aviation Unit. Under the terms of the MOU, SBCFPD will assign two firefighter paramedics to deliver immediate care to patients and ensure patients are in stable condition during air rescue transport. The MOU further provides that the service schedule is four days per week, Monday through Thursday, but may be increased from four days to up to seven days a week if approved by the SBCFPD Fire Chief and the Sheriff. The MOU also allows for the expansion of the program, so that up to two additional SBCFPD Firefighter Paramedics may be added to provide services under Section B.2 if approved by the SBCFPD Fire Chief and the Sheriff. Services will only be provided in areas where SBCFPD has the legal authority to provide services.
Approval of the recommended MOU will provide for the safety, health, and social service needs of county residents by enhancing the emergency response capabilities of SBCFPD and Sheriff.
Either party may terminate the agreement at any time without cause with 30 days’ prior written notice to the other party.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Scott Runyan, Principal Assistant County Counsel, and Richard D. Luczak, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on June 23, 2023; Risk Management (Victor Tordesillas, Director, 386-8623) on April 21, 2023; Finance (Tom Forster, Administrative Analyst, 387-4635, and Erika Rodarte, Administrative Analyst, 387-4919) on April 6, 2023; and County Finance and Administration (Valerie Clay, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on April 6, 2023.