HomeMy WebLinkAbout27- Council Office CITY- OF SAN SEPMARDINO - REQUEST FOR "'OLINCIL ACTION �✓ '�`
From: Councilman David Oberhelman, Fourth Ward Subject: Emergency Medical Transport Services
Dept: Council Office
Date: October 24, 1995
Synopsis of Previous Council Action:
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Recommended Motion:
That the Mayor & Common Council direct the City Administrator and Fire Chief to finalize and
implement a plan for the City of San Bernardino Fire Department to provide emergency medical transporta-
tion services to the citizens of San Bernardino.
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Contact Person: Councilman David Oberhelman Phone: 5178
Supporting Data Attached: Ward:
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: Amount:
Source: (Acct.No.) '
(Acct. Description)
Finance:
Council Notes:
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AGENDA ITEM NO.a
r
CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Common Council
FROM: Council Office
SUBJECT: Agenda Item 27 - Emergency Medical Transport Services
DATE: November 1, 1995
COPIES:
In 1993, the Fire Administration and City Administrator's Office brought forth a
plan for the Fire Department to provide emergency medical transport (ambulance)
services to the residents of San Bernardino.
After much debate and enormous amounts of information being provided to the
Council, the Council voted 5 to 1 to approve the plan for delivery of emergency medical
transport services by the City Fire Department.
Implementation of the plan was delayed, and Attorney Ron Skipper was asked by
the Mayor to meet and confer with the current provider to negotiate an implementation
process.
On December 20, 1993, the Council voted 4 to 3 to proceed with implementation
of the City operated emergency medical transport program and City staff was directed to
proceed with implementation.
On April 18, 1994, in Closed Session, the Council voted to suspend implementa-
tion of the emergency medical transport program, pending the outcome of the San
Bernardino County/ICEMA/Courtesy Ambulance vs. City of San Bernardino lawsuit.
On May 1, 1995, the Council voted 4 to 3 to approve a one-year operating
agreement with Courtesy Ambulance which gave Courtesy the exclusive right to provide
emergency medical transport services within the City of San Bernardino. Also, Courtesy
Ambulance was authorized to increase their rates at that time.
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November 1, 1995
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On October 17, 1995, the Fourth District Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the
City of San Bernardino in the lawsuit which the majority of the Council relied on as a
reason for suspending implementation.
The operating agreement between Courtesy Ambulance and the City of San
Bernardino to provide emergency medical transport is to be reviewed yearly unless a
notice to discontinue is given 90 days prior to expiration.
Based on a recent review of Medical, Medicare, private insurance and private
billings prepared by Stat Physician Services (see attached report), the City's FY 1994-95
revenue for emergency medical (paramedic) and transportation services would have been
$1,800,000.
The conservative estimates of revenue that would have been received in FY 1994-
95 by the City for providing emergency medical transport ($1,800,000) would have offset
about 107o of the Fire Department's FY 1994-95 operating budget.
The Fire Department's estimated cost for implementing the emergency medical
transport program is $500,000 per year.
The implementation of the San Bernardino City Fire Department Emergency
Medical Transport plan which was approved by the Mayor and Common Council will
produce multiple benefits to the residents of the City by accomplishing the following:
Higher quality of emergency medical care to residents of the City.
Lower cost for emergency medical care to residents of the City.
New revenues which can be used to offset current operating costs of the
Fire Department.
In case of a major disaster, San Bernardino will have their own emergency
medical transportation available for its residents (i.e., earthquakes, fires)
rather than having to compete with other areas for these resources.
DAVID OBERHELMAN
Councilman, Fourth Ward
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