HomeMy WebLinkAbout33- Fire CITY OF SAN BERN*-41DINO - REQUEST F 414 COUNCIL ACTION
From: Peggy Ducey, Assistant to the City Subject: Public Hearing for Proposed City of
Administrator San Bernardino Fire Department Emergency
Dept: Administration Transport Services
Date: July 7, 1993
Synopsis of Previous Council action:
May 24, 1993 - Mayor and Common Council directed the City Administrator and Fire
Chief to develop a plan for the provision of City Fire Department
emergency transport services and present the plan in a public
hearing scheduled for July 19, 1993.
Recommended motion:
That the Mayor and Common Council:
1. Close the public hearing;
2. Approve the operating plan for City Fire Department emergency transport services
as submitted by the City Administrator's office;
3. Set a public hearing for August 16, 1993 to establish a rate schedule for
City Fire Department emergency medical transport.
Signature
OV
Contact person: Peggy Ducey Phone: 5122
Supporting data attached: yes Ward:
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: Amount:
Source: (Acct. No.)
(Acct. Description)
Finance:
Council Notes:
an Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) answers the call at the fire
department dispatch center. All EMDs will be trained in emergency
medical dispatching, a process which includes questioning of
callers using skilled interrogation techniques and medically
approved protocols so that the relative urgency of the call can be
determined and more detailed information can be relayed to the
responding safety personnel. Based on this information, the EMD
will determine whether to dispatch a first-responder unit for a
Basic Life Support (BLS) call, such as a broken bone, or paramedic
responders for an Advanced Life Support (ALS) call, and dispatch
the nearest available engine. While safety personnel are enroute
to the emergency scene, the EMD may continue to instruct the caller
on first aid steps, CPR, or other vital actions while emergency
units are mustering and responding.
All fire engines and ladder trucks are staffed with three cross-
trained firefighter/Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) . The
purpose of first responders is to provide basic life support to the
emergency victim as quickly as possible. First responders will
arrive at the scene within 3-5 minutes, on average. Six stations
would serve as bases for paramedic ambulances, staffed by two
firefighter/paramedics. If the ambulance is in the district where
the emergency call originates, they will also arrive on scene
within 3-5 minutes. If they are outside the district of the call,
they will arrive on scene within six minutes. However, a first
responding team will already be treating the patient and begin
stabilization.
The fire department's ambulance system is designed primarily for
emergency transportation. Therefore, if the first responders or
paramedics confirm that the patient does not require emergency
transportation, they have the option of transporting themselves to
appropriate medical care or calling for a unit from the local
private ambulance provider. The private ambulance company also
serves as back-up in the event of a major medical emergency and all
fire department ambulances are in use.
FIRE VEHICLE NEEDS
Except for the leasing of eight ambulances (six in service, two in
reserve) , this plan would utilize all existing Fire Department
apparatus. In fact, there would be less wear on engine and truck
companies since they would not be accompanying the patient to the
hospital. Current and proposed vehicle configuration are as
follows:
VEHICLE CONFIGURATION
Vehicles Current Proposed
Paramedic Engine 5 0
EMT Engine Company 6 11
EMT Truck Company 2 2 (1-truck or ambulance)
Paramedic Ambulance 0 6
STAFFING NEEDS
The Fire Department currently has 162 field positions that are
authorized and budgeted for, however, eleven have been held vacant
and have been filled using overtime. The proposed plan would also
require 162 positions, as delineated below:
STAFFING CONFIGURATION
Field Staffing Current Proposed
Battalion Chief 6 6
Firefighter 40 42
Engineer 45 39
Captain 39 39
Paramedic 32 36
Total 162 162
Admin Staff ' Current Proposed
EMS Coord/Capt 0 1
Accountant 0 1
Administrative Analyst 0 1
Clerk 0 1
COST ANALYSIS
It is projected that revenues from the emergency transport service
would completely offset the cost of the operation of the entire
Emergency Medical Services program.
I
W Q (D h h of to 0 0 0 0 tT M O) am O M R N M (D O w p O Q) t7 V V O 1!') p In O) � W W
r 0 M V N r W h U) O h M N co h W O m co U) h O) M W r N N O co T to
Of 01 U) N W O M V U) to o r U) O N h O M U) tT (D W N h M N M (D
O co r W tf Cl) h N to N O N _ _
2 O N h N M .- r_ O) W (D U) N W c{ M M N N N tD N N N h O O) co
Q v tD W W r to U) b y (D N h N Q h M h N to ° 0) v O N N et h h
40 N U) O 'T
d N N N r N co
Q
M U) O W h h s{ r O (D O O O) M — M O W O M V N M (D O N p O V U) O h p O) O) V W tT
N to M -e N to h to O h M N O h CO O M (D to to O) M 00 V O N O W — co
W O) W N (. O) h O U) U) O h N U7 N h O N in M (D W W V Cl) N M to
W t7) V tD R N to N O v lT t'n W of M U) r N (D N O N O) h m m O
2 W h h N 0") N M to v (D c0 N U) h 7 O N V t` O V m to O (p N R h M
Q h In r U7 r N M V (D U) N M 7 (D M M to m (D a M U) 7 O h
O N N N N Cl)
CL 1n D O fD P f� er p W p 0 M M r r p h p M V N M h O N O .- O) h K U) p to p O) O) � 00 r
h en � N r W O U) O h M 0 W h W O m co co W) O) Cl) c0 M (D N O CO r M
O O )D N fD W h V U) U) O h tt to N h O W O U) r O) (D C1 U) v M N Cl) !-
fo W �- W R h M N to N O U) r tT W v Cl) W _ _ _ _ _ _
_ O h N W N U) D) Q1 h 7 p) M
[h h P• N M to v 'T V (D t0 h to h sT rn M O) h O v t) O (D N V h N
C4 M h LL� lQ h Cl) M Q tD V M M V h to M M to 01 (D v M to O h
Q N N N N M r
LO t'7 O tC f, P, V' r O .- O O O) M r a0 O t7) O M et N M to O N O O N v U)
W M v N -or (D U) O h m M U) h W O M co to O) M W r ° to O m m of W C
M N O co to
Of Of 10 N (t1 tT O) � U) to O u'> v W N h O O O to r D) (D O)
m to r tT V tl m N U) N O 0) O m co of M O h N tD N V N O) h O O) O
to h h N t7 U) O V to v (D O N t(') h tT W
W N CO C N M er h tD N M W V O) r"!
N M W O CO
4 t N N N (y M
O
M C O M N M O t0 jC?j.T O M U) h W (D M—a) C) O N W W Q M to p W (D n h N M v O W O lT to to
W N r 0 h N W M to M y M 0) r co 0) U) W h to O v
W N M M C- W O) N W O W r t0 N N O co N M M V h h R
>. J _ _ - _ _ tp r U)
W y N a O r W U) V to V m M (D U) tr V r O do V ^ U7 U) O to h a} r W
orn to in hh
OQ tY M r D M CO co U) W T
U a tnW
h W O M N M O W O W O M U) h 0 C) O M O O N 0 W W O O) O W h N h 0 p V O O) r M to r
r `7' M U) N �- O h c0 W M to M N O) r co t7) M O N to O v O) v h M t!) 'a
W eT N M M M M U) O) N W h h r tD N N co N Cl) M V O) O R r (D r W
h O 7 7 .- to O V to v to to h N M h r cD v U) .- U) O N (D h r O
Q Q N r M tT c+) m OM R U) T U) t` to v to O to t j O
M O V
+ y
2 H in h Q
2 2
cc
En y +
fr
Rf
q �. Q F- y W y 4 2 ♦ t[ y Q O y 2 i Q O > ti)
y s Q Z y > Q � ►. Q y ). Q h ti y Q 2 +
gOyooQ � QWO � Oy (n W , yy � ►� Qty
> Q jti Q yiQ ►- W
a ym C� yO Om ° y Wa Rm QQ �i > O20yOQti cc W a
O cC Jyy > ti
.. 2 1 2 0 U O Q O V rn O i ►= O m o U y O Q > O m y p O
F- W O a p Q W O Q
a y ((A y Q 4 0 ° Q ►. vl y 4 O O
� � U (n a . ta o U (n Q. ° ,� v v~, CL , � O
O OU > UyyyW � 8 qQ %U, to UjOUy W � $ IK CA W ti
I. pp O y Z. O v O y O U (n 'n U y y
> 2 > 2 .ytUOU 2W > Ztr cU7 ° p > W 0a � W u) yUpy � W
Zw � g W � zw ~ � ZawQ <� -+ � g2 > U, J
cH 4 +++ a aH '' aWi � o :i � ow � � 2z -joj LU2W �
►. CW�yC � ►• 1. titCYj ►. QO � IqU) ICY -X O � tiaY ►W. zO °
a W tv Z 2 a 2 4 vZ W 2 2 2O a h W � ? 2 a in W tc ? 2 O
CURRt"NT OPERATIONRL
CONFIGURATION
PHRHMEDIC ENGINE COURTESY HMBULRNCE
FE C EMT P
P P
PROP ED OP
ERATIOAL
CONFIGURATION �-
PRRRMEDIC
ENGINE COMPRNY RMBULRNCE
F E C P P
F
E f l
�I *1 C)
M y :3 (b
Cb
c� P o �o
oo cb
Cb
O O a) ( �
c� o o n�
Cb
� Z �
C6 !N V NV �NN
C� O4O O
VQ004C) �
O C31 �0
p G�
O CO
v1
V
O p c
zr oo n
c� N) ry cVI 0
v4 v J
W O V E O
�o '**4 O 00 c3
� Z
0 0
°o o f4
O
W �
O
n
ZZ
y y y y
C t�
O O N N T
•O 'O `W `W 'y
rill
CO SID
O O IV fV i
O O O O
O O O O
a
� � z
' t31 4 N V ti y
v v V v p
1Cn
4N
`O v y C
Cv31 OV Cep
of tp v O
W N
Oo 01 +
Oo
v V
�A CZ
COURTESYAMBULANCE SERviu�IS TRADITIONALLY ASKED A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS INCLUDING:
HOW ARE RA TES SET?
Rates and charges are established by the County of San Bernardino and the City of San Bernardino.On a county-by-county
comparison throughout the State of California,Courtesy Ambulance Services' rates are in the middle of the group.In other
words,half of the counties allow their ambulance providers to charge more than Courtesy.
HOW DOES COURTESY HEAR ABOUT AN EMERGENCY?
Courtesy Ambulance Service cannot respond to any call unless it receives a request through the communications centers
operated by cities and the County of San Bernardino.
WHO CERTIFIES PERSONNEL?
All personnel are certified by the County of San Bernardino organization known as ICEMA.
WHAT IS ICEMA?
ICEMA stands for the Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency,the agency which bears the responsibility for ensuring
a viable and cohesive emergency medical service program for the County of San Bernardino.
WOULD SERVICES BE OFFERED AT LOWER FEES BY THE CITY?
According to the City's own figures,the fee structure will remain the same.However,taxpayers will absorb the costs of
personnel,equipment and insurance."Hidden"in the request to provide services are the"write offs"that each private ambu-
lance company must assume,if under contract to the County.
For example,Courtesy,under contract to the County,provides services to the homeless,indigent,welfare recipient and
others at fees set by the County.Those actual charges are"written off'as a matter of doing business for its residents.
WHO PAYS FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES?
Under the private carrier policy,Courtesy Ambulance only bills those who use its services,a so-called User Fee.If you
don't use the service,you don't pay.
Under the proposed City program each taxpayer will pay a little more.Even if you don't use the service,the cost of
providing new paramedic services are on-going.
WHY IS IT THAT BOTH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND COURTESY SHOWS UP FOR A MEDICAL EMERGENCY?
Cities control their 911 calls,and they dispatch their own fire units first.The dispatcher then notifies Courtesy second,even
if they are closer and could provide life-saving support.The first paramedic on the scene takes charge of patient treatment but
Courtesy transports the patient.Because City wants an opportunity to"bill"its patients,the entire fire truck and its crew
"accompany"Courtesy ambulances to the nearest hospital.This takes fire department personnel and equipment out of service
and wastes tax payers dollars.
IF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT LEAVES EMS, WHO DO I CALL IN AN EMERGENCY?
The same 911 number,as always.The dispatcher will alert the nearest Courtesy Ambulance and response will be less than
10 minutes away.
IF I DON'T HAVE INSURANCE, WHO WILL TREAT ME?
Courtesy Ambulance! You are never asked if you have insurance.We have a contract with the County to provide the best
service possible to everyone.
IF THE CITY TAKES OVER EMS, WHO PAYS IF I CAN'T?
The city's taxpayers.Obviously,sick people can't be left on the sidewalks.But overtime and other costs are always paid for
by the taxpayer.If the city runs out of money,or hasn't properly budgeted all expenses,other services like the library,parks and
recreation or police services are trimmed.Or a"special"tax assessment is passed.
ARE THERE ANY CITIES THAT RELY ON PRIVATE AMBULANCES ONLY?
Yes.Many cities,such as Riverside and San Diego,rely solely on private ambulance companies.The City of Riverside
estimates that it has saved its taxpayers more than$1 million annually by using a private carrier.The City of San Diego has used
private carriers since 1977.Don't believe the fire fighters arguments that private carriers aren't as good.
WITHOUT COMPETITION, WON'T MY RATES SKYROCKET?
Emergency Medical Service rates are regulated by state law and county agencies.Requests for rate increases must be based
on operating costs and must be approved by the appropriate overseeing agency.
OUTLINE OF PARAMEDIC EVENTS
(all information provided by the City of San Bernardino)
1975 City Council votes to allow Fire Department to provide paramedic services
with the understanding that no additional personnel will be needed, and training
and equipment charges will not exceed $14,000.
1990 In October, Fire Department proposes charging citizens for paramedic services,
projecting revenue of$610,000. The revenue figure includes selling 5,900
memberships to families at $24 each.
1991 In 1991-1992 budget year only 3,372 memberships are sold resulting in rev-
enues of$178,959. The cost of providing paramedic services is $1,479,164
resulting in a $1,299,205 cost to taxpayers in the City of San Bernardino.
1993 Based on current costs, less the memberships sold, the City has paid $1,299,205
for paramedic services in 1991/1992, and $1,167,664 for services to date. Total
net cost to the City's taxpayers is $2,466,869 for "free" paramedic services
since inception. Courtesy provides these same services at no cost to the tax-
payer, and with no complaints of service.
Proposed City proposes two programs Option#3 and Option #4. Option#3 includes start-
up costs of$710,296.66 and annual expenses of$1,882,629. Option #4 includes
start-up costs of$628,936 and annual expenses of$1,391,683. Personnel,
liability and workers compensation insurance costs are not included.
Cost to the taxpayers in 1993 is: Option #3 $3,360,793 and Option #4
$2,869,847.
Projection City proposes raising ambulance rates to earn revenue of$2,869,847. These
figures are based on collection and transportation rates that Courtesy Ambu-
lance has never been able to meet, and with six less ambulances.
Shortfall City actually predicts LOSSES of(Option #3) $826,179 or (Option #4)
$335,233. Taxpayers will be forced to pay these fees through further reduction
of services.
Additional Such expenses as insurance (both liability and workers' compensation), wear
and-tear on equipment and fire fighters' lawsuits against the City are not in-
cluded.
TAXPAYER COST FOR THE PAST 43 YEARS WITH COURTESY AMBULANCE IS $0.00
V
St. Bernardine Plaza
• 550 WEST FIFTH STREET, SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA 92401
to 9; t 5 (909) 888-0153
Ms . Shawna Clark
City Administrator
City of San Bernardino
City Hall
San Bernardino , Ca . 92401
We , the undersigned citizens of San Bernardino wish to state
that we are NOT in favor of the 911 paramedic service being
removed from the Fire Department.
We feel that our tax dollars would be better utilized in
supporting our Fire Department in an Emergency Medical
Transport System rather than having them used to subsidize
private industry as in the present situation. It is our
opinion that if the Fire Department could have the six
ambulance units and the three back-up units , our needs would
be more adequately provided for at a much reduced cost and ,
would afford much faster transport to the hospital . It just
seems to make more sense to have the Fire Department be able
to transport to the Medical Facilities since they are already
on the scene and have stabilized our condition prior to the
arrival of a private ambulance service . They then have to
go to the hospital anyway in order the complete the call .
Thank you for your consideration of our views and desires in
this matter .
cc : Mr . Tom Minor , Mayor Councilwoman Pope-Ludlam
• Councilman Negrete Councilwoman Miller
Councilman Curlin Supervisor Riordan
Councilman Hernandez Supervisor Eaves
Councilman Oberhelman
Apt . Name
Apt . Name
1
�;� � ,
Ire
6L
R J h7l�
Apt Name Apt . Name
("�Ild,14z-
X13 � f
lid 6
wl Gf b
t` C... t
I a— 4/JCL. I--f— I C, t
n
c.-L
L; 777
4
0 v
� � M
J
v
1163
i
THE FOLLOWING PERSONS HAVE CALLED THE COUNCIL OFFICE TO EXPRESS THAT THEY ARE
IN FAVOR OF KEEPING � PY PARAMEDICS FOR EMERGENC_ SERVICES:
Joan Gibson Mr. M.J. Poteat - Wd. 7
4268 Mountain Drive 3621 Genevieve St.
� 0 S.B. Phone: 381-6451 Phone: 886-1534
Helen Bracken - 7th Wd. Gloria Alverson
2325 Newport 2692 E. Highland Ave.
S.B. Space 50
Phone: 886-4158 Phone: 862-3468
Betty Lou Riddle - 5th Wd. Beatrice Kuehne
837 W. 25th St. 2695 E. Highland Ave.
S.B.S.B
Phone: 882-3281 Highland, CA 92346
Phone: 864-3795Z
Teresa Pettey - 5th Wd.
5549 Aster St. Rouch moore
S.B. 5216 Carlton
Phone: 887-3896 S.B.
Phone: 886-2835
Ted Nece - Wd. 5
3264 N. "I" St. Jim Brooks
S.B. 2588 Roxbury Dr.
Phone: 881-2112 S.B.
Phone: 881-3168
Donna Boyd - Wd. 5
1925 College Dr. #139 Arline Sendelbach -Wd. 4
S.B.
Phone: 887-6637
Marge Topoleski wd. 4
Louise Ayala - Wd. 7 1663 Echo Drive
383 E. 28th St. Phone: 883-3870
S.B.
Phone: 881-2218 M4. Linda Cooper (wd 7)
1166 E. Mon Aoze Ave.
Jessie Methayer - Wd. 6
Phone: 886-6252
1483 W. 10th St. Mn. Cut is Pankea (wd 5)
S.B. 2370 M"cup-i,ab e Dn.
Phone: 884-1478 Phone: 8822428
Robert Morehead - Wd. 5 Hetene KoAen
1054 Sierra View 4040 E. Piedmont #282 (wd 4)
S.B. H.ighta.nd, CA
Phone: 883-0274 Phone: 864-8073
Billie Childs - Wd. 5 Hahotd pleats
5585 Wagon Wheel Rd. 1683 Lugo (wd 2)
Phone: 880-3342 Phone: 886-2190
W. Dono.thy Lunn (wd 7)
2692 E. H-ighta.nd Sp. 41
Hightand, Ca
Phone: 862-8070
W-,33
FOR FIREFIGHTERS By-NG PARAMEDICS
Bonnie Caid Edna Plaiss
4494 N. Stoddard 2692 E. Highland #24
862-1601
Cheryl Neale William B. Garner
222 E. 17th 2745 Fremontia
Shirley Smith Mr. & Mrs. George Sovey
371 W. 29th 4040 E. Piedmont #12
862-6359
Robert Ages Louise Stewart
2294 W. Evans 1811 Pumalo #214
Dexter & Michelle Thomas
Harry Alexander 3072 W. Comstock
3154 Hudson 880-8772
Rose Scott Mary Graefe
1381 Colorado 4040 E. Piedmont #308
864-1249
Karen Hoke Mildred Davisson
4420 N. Varsity 721 E. 9th #139
880-2802 889-1393
Toby Potter
Constance Lusk 1298 W. 27th
1218 N. Pico 882-2368
888-8466
Elizabeth Mallory
3734 Pacific #26
Fran Neuppert 862-6765
6271 N. Indigo
880-3700 Richard Boylan
4531 Stoddard
Jovette Clark 882-5248
2904 Indian Canyon Ct.
862-3818 Sally & Ben Remick
760 E. 9th Sp. 16
884-4168
Lisa Brooks
2588 Roxbury Drive Janet Gaiton & Laverne
881-3168 1298 W. Marshall
882-22-90
Nancy Goforth Barbara Matthews
3740 La Hacienda 2692 E. Highland #113
883-6802 425-1931
Mary Lou Blevins
Molly Romero 2692 E. Highland Ave Sp. 54
2692 E. Highland, Space 135 862-1207
864-7136
Jean Bogle
1094 E. Mirada
886-8658
YES - FOR PARAWDICS
Jo Day.c6
3696 Leroy
Reed Parke
Kathteen Ho66mazteA (wd 4) 4040 E. Piedmont #337
3921 SiekAa Way 864-4913
Phone: 882-1931
Jacquetine Johnson (wd 4) Jim Ford
4040 F. Piedmont #362 1819 W. 20th
Phone: 864-5117 887-4138
Yvette Baffin (7th Wd) Joey Shade
223 F. 47th St. 5280 N. Little Mountain
Phone: 883-5171 880-1574
Agnes, HaAAigan (wd 7) Robert Moore
Phone: 882-8576 5216 Carlton
886-2835
DoUthy Lunn (wd 4) Lois AUoway
2692 E. H.igk&nd #41 4120 N. Sepuiveda #11
Phone: 862-8070 Phone: 882-1073
Madeiine Shot (wd 7)
2846 Lawrence
Phone: 883-0942
M/M Hwr y Hair tb e U
2692 F. Higk&nd #68
Phone: 862-6623
M/M Timothy Ra.mitez
393 F. 29th St.
Phone: 883-0206
Wiiii,am F. RodgeAz
3354 Peuhing
Phone: 882-3596
FAanceb FhAedeAicU
3595 BAoadmooA
Phone: 883-3903
Liza South
5280 N. Lithe Mtn T-1
Phone: 880-1574
3
Order of Presentation: J
1 . Steve Rice ,!
rl'2 Jean Stephens o
3 Mike Welsch v
4 ' Diana McCafferty V/
5. Mark Cantrell !
-�-6. Willie Clark �r -
1'tt7'
$-. Sylvia Martinez
9. Linda Grudz ✓
10. Rev. McDonald
/11 . Kathy Crow
/12-4 Henry Vasquez
VI 3. Jerry Harper
�4. Dan Word
/15. Shirley Sed i l l o
41/16. Danny Sedillo
�17. Peter Hubbard