HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 02122013 - SD.7RECOMMENDATION(S):
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Fire Chief to develop an ordinance that would provide cost recovery for
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responses.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Nominal fiscal impact for staff time to develop ordinance. Possible new revenue generation of $3-5 million annually
if EMS cost recovery ordinance is adopted.
BACKGROUND:
The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District is an “all-hazards” organization that responds to fires (e.g. structural
and vegetation), rescues (e.g. vehicle extrication, swift water, industrial accidents), emergency medical services
(EMS), hazardous materials incidents, utility emergencies, etc. Functioning as an all-hazards organization provides
the highest level of protection, service, and value to the community.
Medical emergencies account for approximately 80% of the District's annual responses. This includes potentially life
threatening emergencies (e.g. heart attack, respiratory difficulties, allergic reactions, trauma) that require advanced
life support (ALS) and non-life
APPROVE OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
Action of Board On: 02/12/2013 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
Clerks Notes:
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
Contact: Chief Daryl Louder,
925-941-3500
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the
Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: February 12, 2013
David Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
By: , Deputy
cc:
SD. 7
To:Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Board of Directors
From:Daryl L. Louder, Contra Costa Fire Protection Dist.
Date:February 12, 2013
Contra
Costa
County
Subject:Cost Recovery for Emergency Medical Services Responses
BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)
threatening incidents (e.g. fractures, illness, soft tissue injuries) that require a basic life support (BLS) response.
All of the District firefighters are required to maintain either paramedic or emergency medical technician
certifications in order to provide these services. Each response unit is staffed with a minimum of one paramedic and
two EMTs and properly equipped for EMS response. The closest available resource (fire or ambulance) is dispatched
to the incident in order to facilitate a timely response to the emergency.
Under the current system, only American Medical Response (AMR), the contract company that provides patient
transport, is eligible for cost reimbursement. The Fire District does not receive any reimbursement for the medical
response services that are provided. Property taxes provide the funding to build the response system and capacity.
However, additional support and funding is necessary to maintain and sustain the system. These proposed user fees
will help to cover the direct costs of delivering these vital services to the customers. A number of other jurisdictions
across the State have implemented similar cost recovery user fees in order to maintain service levels.
The majority of the cost recovery fees would be covered by health and automobile insurance policies. The District
would recommend a "compassionate billing" policy for those residents that are not insured and financially unable to
pay for the services.
It is estimated that the cost recovery fees for EMS services would generate $3-5 million to offset the cost of providing
the services. Revenue from the EMS cost recovery fees will be reinvested in the District in order to maintain critical
response services and prevent further erosion of service levels in the community.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The District would not develop a cost recovery ordinance for EMS responses.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
Not applicable.
CLERK'S ADDENDUM
AUTHORIZED the Fire Chief to continue to pursue information to possibly develop an ordinance that would
provide cost recovery for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) response and report back to the Board of Directors at
a future meeting.