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CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO ~EQUEST
FOR COUNCIL ACTION
From: GERALD M. NEWCOMBE,
Subject:
Set public hearing -- April 16,
1990 -- proposed ordinance
authorizing the setting and
collection of emergency medical
services fees.
Dept:
Fire Chief
Date:
March 29, 1990
Synopsis of Previous Council action:
3/22/90 -- Legislative Review Committee recommended approval of the
proposed ordinance authorizing the collection of fees
for emergency medical services conducted thereunder and
setting the amount of such fees.
Recommended motion:
That a public hearing be set for 10:00 a.m., April l6, 1990, to discuss
the proposed ordinance authorizing the collection of fees for
emergency medical services conducted thereunder and setting the
amount of such fees.
Contact person: GERALD M. NEWCOMBE
Phone:
5286
Supporting data attached: yes
Ward:
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS:
Amount:
Source: (Acct, No,)
(Acct, Description)
Finance:
Council Notes:
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. SAN BERNARDINO CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT
MEMORANDUM
..
TO:
FROH:
Revenue Enhancement Committee
Fire Department
SUBJECT: 'Revenue Enhancement Recommendation
DATB:
November 17, 1989
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that an "Emeraency Hedical Service Fee" be
charaed to any person that is treated for emeraency medical
care by the San Bernardino City Fire Department and
transported by ambulance to a medical facility.
BACKGROUND AND HISTORY
\~ San Bernardino City Fire Department has been providing "no
~st" emergency medical services to the community since 1978.
Initially, the fire department was able to provide this
service at relatively low costs, but over the years the
emergency medical program has expanded, the cost of equipment
has increased, and more medical equipment is required to
provide advanced life support services.
Medical emergencies, like fire emergencies, are increasina
annually at 9%. Currently, the fire department is responding
to approximately 12,000 medical emergencies a year which
places paramedic units out of service frequently, which in
turn causes delayed response times. These calculations
indicate the need for adding another paramedic unit to the
fire department. The initial cost would be approximately
$20,000,00 for paramedic equipment and supplies, plus
$285,000.00 to pay annual salaries for four additional
paramedics, a paramedic coordinator, and a records clerk,
The charging of fees is recommended to off-set the cost
required to provide emergency medical services to the public.
A survey of 15 fire departments indicates that the majority of
these departments (11) currently charge fees for paramedic
services, which include:
1. Anaheim.......,...,............,.. .User Fee
2. Apple Valley...................... .User Fee
3. Berkeley.. ...,. ,......... ........ ..Special Tax
4. Fullerton................,...,.,. ..Subscription Fee
5. Garden Grove............. ....,.... .Special Tax
6. Huntington Beach.........,....... ..User Fee
7. Redlands,.............,........... .Special Tax
8, Ri.lto.~.......................... .Subscription Pee
8. Santa An...........,.............. .Subscription Pee
10. Oceanrid........................... Us.r F..
11. Oran..........,.,.............. ....Subscription Fe.
METHODS
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To le,ally char,e a tee tor services, the City must show that
the tees char,ed are actual costs incurred by the City.
Listed on the tollowin, pa,e is an outline of costs incurred
by the tire department to provide emer,enay medical care to
the public.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL COSTS AND F~R CALCULATIONS
EQUIPMENT AND PERSONNEL THAT RESPOND TO MEDICAL EMERGENCIES:
1. Paramedic Fire En,ine: (One Captain, One En,ineer, Two
Paramedic Fire Fi,hters)
2. Fire En,ine: (One Captain, One En,ineer, One Fire
Fi,hter)
* A fire engine responds with a paramedic en,ine on
approximately 60% of all calls.
AVERAGE TIME DEDICATED TO EACH HEDICAL EMERGENCY: 30 minute.
PERSONNEL RATE FOR PARAMEDIC FIRE ENGINE: $57.53/Hour
P$RSONNEL ,RATE FOR FIRE ENGINE: $43.32/Hour
PERSONNEL COSTS PER INCIDENT:
1. Paramedic Squad at $57.53/Hour x ,50 =
2, Fire Engine at $43.32/Hour x ,50 =
$28.76
21 86
TOTAL
$50,42
TOTAL COSTS:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5,
6.
7.
8.
9.
Personnel
Paramedic Engine Vehicle Rate
Paramedic Engine Mileage (Average 10 Miles)
Fire Engine Vehicle Rate (24,17 x ,67)
Fire Engine Mileage (Average 5 Miles)
Supplies
Fixed Asset Equipment
Collection Fee
Overhead at 10%
$50.42
24,17
42,40
16.19
21,20
6,00
7.50
10.00
19 50
TOTAL
$199,88
RECOMMENDED FEE: $130.00 Per Patient (RESIDENT OF CITY)
180.00 Per Patient (NON-CITY RESIDENT)
* An annual increase in fees should be included to provide for
inflation of salaries, equipment, and administrative costs.
.
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R~COVRRY q,' COSTS
The owner ot Courtesy Ambulance Service, Steve Rice,
a,reed to pertorm the billin, and collection tor
department emer,ency aedical services. It is anticipated
Courtesy Ambulance will char,e between $5.00 and $10.00
incident tor billin, and collection oosts.
has
tire
that
per
Statistics indicate that of all the patients transported,
approximately 3500 are either insured or otherwise able to pay
the proposed user fees. Of those 3500, it i. anticipated that
80% will actually pay the fee,
100% collection of Pees would provide $455,000 annual revenues
to the City.
80% collection of fees would provide $364,000 annual revenue.
to the City.
CONCLUSION
It is anticipated that the City would recover between $350,00
and $400,000 annually if a Huser feeu is char,ed for eaer,ency
medical services. It is recommended that this Doney be used
to pay for the expenses required to provide an additional
paramedic unit; finance paraaedic ~quipaent and repairs, and
finance administrative and clerical costs required to aaintain
the prograa.