201 S. Anaheim Blvd.
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Anaheim, CA 92805
Tel: (714) 765-4000
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www.anaheim.net
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT
DATE: JUNE 27, 2023
FROM: FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: RESOLUTIONS ESTABLISHING LIFE SAFETY, HAZARDOUS
MATERIAL MANAGEMENT, AND PARAMEDIC FEES IN THE
FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT AND RESCINDING
RESOLUTION NOS. 2019-066, 2019-067, AND 2019-068
RESPECTIVELY
ATTACHMENTS (Y/N): YES ITEM # 28-F
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: NO
RECOMMENDATION:
That City Council, following a public hearing, by separate Resolutions:
1. Establishing life safety division fees to be charged by the Fire and Rescue Department and rescinding Resolution No. 2019-066; and
2. Establishing paramedic fees to be charged by the Fire and Rescue Department and rescinding Resolution No. 2019-067; and
3. Relating to fees and penalties in connection with implementing the Unified Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Material Management Regulatory Program Act and rescinding Resolution No. 2019-068.
DISCUSSION:
The City Council adopted Resolution Nos. 2019-066, 2019-067, and 2019-068 on June 18, 2019, establishing the Fire and Rescue Department’s Life Safety, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and Hazardous Materials Program (CUPA) fees, respectively.
The adopted fee schedules were initially based on the recommendations of a 2018 city- wide fee study, which had been undertaken to quantify the costs of providing specific city services and the subsidy of those services where costs had outpaced fee increases.
At this time, staff is recommending a fee increase of 3% to keep pace with increased labor costs for the Life Safety and CUPA program services. Increased cost recovery resulting from this change will be about $72,500 for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023/24.
With changes in how Anaheim Fire & Rescue delivers EMS, most significantly, moving from contract ambulance transport to an in-house model, staff recommends several changes to the schedule of EMS fees.
Resolutions Establishing Life Safety, Hazardous Material Management, and Paramedic Fees in the Fire and Rescue Department and Rescinding Resolution Nos. 2019-066, 2019-067, and 2019-068 June 27, 2023
The annual membership fee for the voluntary FireMedics program, formerly known as the Paramedic Membership Program, would be changed from $43 to $60, aligning Anaheim’s fee with that of other Orange County agencies. The program provides financial assistance to members by reducing the costs associated with medical emergencies and will include new added benefits such as hands-on CPR training, AED instruction, and First Aid classes.
An increase of 10% was applied to the established paramedic and ambulance fees, as itemized in the Resolution. These fees are similarly adjusted to closely align with fees throughout the County and reflect inflationary increases for medical equipment, labor, drugs and supplies These fees are billed to insurance first, resulting in minimal or no impact on patients.
Fees billed for medic services requested for special events, for example, at Angel Stadium or the Anaheim Convention Center, would be increased by 3%. New fees related to emergency and non-emergency services were added to the paramedic fee schedule to recover costs for ambulances requested on standby at special events or at hospitals.
Increased cost recovery resulting from these changes will be about $1.8 million for FY 2023/24.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
If adopted, the proposed fee changes would increase the Fire and Rescue Department’s General Fund revenues by approximately $1.8 million.
Respectfully submitted,
Patrick J. Russell
Fire Chief
Attachments:
1. Resolution – Life Safety Fees
2. Resolution – Emergency Medical Services Fees
3. Resolution – Hazardous Materials Program (CUPA) Fees