To: Board of Supervisors
From: Health and Human Services Agency
Meeting Date: March 7, 2017
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Department Contact: |
Tammy Moss Chandler |
Phone: |
463-7774 |
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Item Type: Consent Agenda |
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Time Allocated for Item: N/A |
Agenda Title:
title
Adoption of Ordinance Amending Chapter 9.05 of Mendocino County Code Titled, "Emergency Medical Response”
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Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Adopt Ordinance amending Mendocino County Code Section 9.05 titled, “Emergency Medical Response;” and authorize Chair to sign same.
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Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:
Mendocino County Code Section 9.05 adopted by the Board October 1991; amended June 1994; April 5, 2016, Item 5(e). On January 24, 2017 the Board of Supervisors introduced and waived reading of the amended Ordinance.
Summary of Request:
A defined set of authorities exists to support the delivery of pre-hospital care within the state of California. Statewide EMS governance was established in the early 1980s to facilitate a system of coordinated readiness and response locally, regionally and statewide. Although statute, regulations and a state regulatory agency, the California Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA), address the provision of EMS at the state level; the system has a strong local component with much of the direct system administration and coordination and medical control provided at the county level.
California Health & Safety Code (H&SC), Division 2.5, the EMS Act, establishes EMSA as the statewide regulator and the agency that promulgates regulations as described in the statute. Health & Safety Code, Division 2.5, Section 1797.200 also authorizes each county to designate a Local EMS Agency (LEMSA) for the administration of emergency medical services. Health &Safety Code, Division 2.5, Section 1797.204 requires the LEMSA to plan, implement, and evaluate an EMS system consisting of an organized pattern of readiness and pre-hospital care services based on public and private agreements and operational procedures. In planning, implementing and evaluating the local EMS system the LEMSA must fulfil the specific requirements of H&SC 2.5 and CCR Title 22, Division 9.
The Mendocino County EMS Ordinance represents the county commitment to the Coastal Valleys Emergency Medical Services Agency (CVEMSA) mission of ensuring a high quality system of pre-hospital medical care for all Mendocino County residents and visitors. Ideally, the EMS Ordinance would provide CVEMSA the authority to ensure the services and quality our county deserves. In 2013, Mendocino County initiated a collaborative project to explore the feasibility of implementing an Exclusive Operating Area (EOA) for the sustainable provision of emergency ambulance services within the County. Pursuant to Board Direction, an EOA Oversight Committee, comprised of representatives from various County offices, fire chiefs and hospital staff, solicited input from emergency transport providers, dispatch providers, fire chiefs and hospitals to discuss best methods and system design of an EOA. On September 23, 2014, the County entered into an agreement with The Abaris Group to develop and implement an ambulance exclusive operating area (EOA) for the inland Mendocino County and for the development and assistance with the implementation of a revised Mendocino County ambulance Ordinance. Abaris conducted an assessment of current systems and “best practices” from many other counties that have recently revised EMS Ordinances. Abaris Group concluded that although CVEMSA has articulated a clear vision and has EMS system plans and policies in place, the local Ordinances in Mendocino County did not provide sufficient authority for the agency to ensure high quality pre-hospital care to the residents and visitors of the county. Changes to the Ordinance include establishing an EOA, the addition of the Local Emergency Medical Services Authority (LEMSA) as opposed to “health officer” and “EMS Agency,” language updates for a more concise and reflective Ordinance, and removal of language duplicative of EMS Standard Operating Procedures. At the time the Ordinance was initially written, ambulance services provided their own dispatch services. However, as this is no longer the case, language related to dispatch and private call lines has been revised.
After the April 5, 2016, Board of Supervisors meeting to introduce the draft Ordinance, CVEMSA was approached by various partners with concerns and revised language recommendations. As a result, CVEMSA continued to work with the Abaris Group to assess the suggested revisions and concerns brought forth and hosted two EMS Ordinance workshops to provide a forum for discussion for system stakeholders.
Alternative Action/Motion:
Return to staff for alternative handling.
Supplemental Information Available Online at: N/A
Fiscal Impact:
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Source of Funding: N/A |
Budgeted in Current F/Y: N/A |
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Current F/Y Cost: N/A |
Annual Recurring Cost: N/A |
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Supervisorial District: All |
Vote Requirement: Majority |
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Agreement/Resolution/Ordinance Approved by County Counsel: Yes
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CEO Liaison: Jill Martin, Deputy CEO |
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CEO Review: Yes |
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Comments: