BREA CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
OCTOBER 3, 2023
STUDY SESSION
6:00 p.m. - Executive Conference Room
Level Three
CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL - COUNCIL
Mayor Simonoff called the Study Session to order at 6.00 p.m., all members were present except for Council Member Stewart.
Present: Simonoff, Marick, Hupp, Stewart, Vargas
Absent: Stewart
1. Public Comment
None.
DISCUSSION ITEM
2. Consideration of Brea Fire Ambulance Program
Fire Chief Avery introduced the item and indicated staff has been exploring whether or not in- house ambulance services would be a good fit for the City.
Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Keyworth provided a background on the item, and spoke about the City's history with the current ambulance provider, Emergency Ambulance Services, Inc. (EAS). She also spoke about the 2021 Request for Proposals (RFP) for emergency ambulance transport and billing, noting EAS as the sole bidder.
Fire Battalion Chief Terrill spoke about current staffing levels at each of the stations in the City and the current ambulance service program.
Fire Battalion Chief Davy spoke about the current challenges with the existing ambulance service, the vehicle model and presented several options for the operation of the City's ambulance program.
Fire Battalion Chief Terrill spoke about the benefits of an in-house ambulance service program, anticipated challenges of an in-house ambulance services program, and other Orange County cities with in-house ambulance programs.
Council discussed the City of Newport Beach's model with firefighter/paramedics, apprenticeships, potential turnover and the testing process.
Budget Manager Brenner provided a cost estimate for a Private Partnership Ambulance Program, cost estimates for an In -House Ambulance Program, and related cost assumptions.
Fire Battalion Chief Davy spoke about the life expectancy an ambulance vehicle. He also spoke about cost savings down the line on the repurposing the modular box of an ambulance and presented ambulance transportation data for option 2. 10-03-2023
1 Council discussed the City's ambulance assistance to the City of Placentia. results from the RFP issued in March, decline in service from EAS, operating costs. timeline for purchasing new ambulances. timelines for moving forward with an in-house ambulance program option, and billing options.
Council directed staff to move forward with Option 1 for a separate third -party billing vendor, continue with the private ambulance company providing transport until Option 2 can be implemented, and bring back updated timelines and ambulance costs to a future meeting.
Mayor Simonoff adjourned the Study Session at 6:37 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
ian Harris -Neal. City Clerk
The foregoing minutes are hereby
approved this 17th day of October.
2023
Simo off. yor
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10-a3-2023