REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
October 26, 2021
FROM
LEONARD X. HERNANDEZ, Chief Executive Officer, County Administrative Office
SUBJECT
Title
Study Session Regarding Emergency and Non-Emergency Ground Ambulance Service
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Conduct a study session regarding the provision of emergency and non-emergency ground ambulance service in the eight exclusive operating areas under contract with American Medical Response of Inland Empire.
2. Initiate the competitive process for the provision of emergency and non-emergency ground ambulance transportation in the eight exclusive operating areas currently under contract with American Medical Response of Inland Empire.
3. Direct staff to research and meet with stakeholders for the potential inclusion of other exclusive operating areas in the Request for Proposal process.
(Presenter: Leonard X. Hernandez, Chief Executive Officer, 387-5417)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Improve County Government Operations.
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact as a result of this item. The Chief Executive Officer will report back to the Board of Supervisors (Board) on any estimated future costs of implementing direction received from the Board pursuant to this item.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Conduct a study session regarding the provision of emergency and non-emergency ground ambulance service in the eight exclusive operating areas (EOAs) under Contract No. 12-254 with American Medical Response of Inland Empire.
On August 18, 2020 (Item No. 2), the Board facilitated an initial study session regarding the provision of emergency and non-emergency ground ambulance service in the eight EOAs under contract with AMR, and a second study session was conducted on October 20, 2020 (Item No. 2). This second study session resulted in the recommendation to explore the opportunity of developing a public/private partnership for the delivery of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in the eight EOAs currently under contract with AMR.
Due to the surge of COVID-19 between November and December of 2020, and the release of the COVID-19 vaccine, the County and our EMS stakeholders dedicated resources to the crucial delivery of vaccines to county residents and first responders, delaying the EMS Assessment Project process. In April 2021, the County engaged Citygate, LLC for a six-month evaluation on the feasibility of a private/public partnership model, which included a system assessment and meetings with EMS stakeholders. This study session will provide an update and recommendations for Board consideration.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (John Tubbs II, Deputy County Counsel, 387-3203) on October 18, 2021; County Administrative Office (Pamela Williams, Chief of Administration, 387-4377) on October 18, 2021; and County Finance and Administration (Matthew Erickson, County Chief Financial Officer, 387-5423) on October 18, 2021.