DATE:
May 21, 2024
TO:
Paul Buddenhagen, City Manager
FROM:
Pedro Jimenez, Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT:
Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Emeryville Authorizing The City Manager To Execute A First Amendment Agreement With The County Of Alameda That Governs The Provision Of Emergency Medical Services And First Responder Advanced Life Support (FRALS) For The Term Of July 1, 2019 To June 30, 2026 Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the above-entitled Resolution.
Background
The City Council previously approved a FRALS contract with the County of Alameda on November 1, 2011 and amended the contract on May 24, 2016, September 5, 2017, June 19, 2018 and June 18, 2019, with the latest amended contract expiring June 30, 2024. The County has proposed a FRALS amendment that will extend the term through June 30, 2026. This amendment coincides with the term of the County’s contract with ambulance transport provider, Falck.
The FRALS agreement was originally created in the late 1990s as an instrument to formalize the relationship between local municipal fire departments in the County who provide advanced life support services (but not ambulance transportation) and the Alameda County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) office.
Discussion
The County’s regulatory authority over emergency medical services is established in the provisions of the state Health and Safety Code known as the Emergency Medical Services System Act. The County EMS Agency is the Local Emergency Medical Service Agency responsible for establishing policies and procedures for the approval and designation of paramedic service providers within the EMS jurisdiction, (Health and Safety Code Section 1979.94). The proposed agreement will continue the formal designation of the City as an authorized provider of FRALS services within the Alameda County EMS system, as well as prehospital emergency medical services. Services provided under the proposed agreement by non-transporting fire departments include cardiac monitoring, use of drugs and intravenous therapy and advanced airway preservation techniques such as intubation and defibrillation. In addition, the agreement specifies adherence to performance requirements that include response time standards, quality improvement programs and minimum equipment inventory standards, training, and operational protocols.
The amendment includes a provision for the potential implementation of a pilot or permanent telemedicine program. In furtherance of pilot telehealth programs, the contractor may assess a User Fee at the Treat, Non-transport rate for referrals to telemedicine providers approved by the EMS Agency Director. The rate shall be equivalent to the rate authorized for the 9-1-1 Ambulance Service Providers. This authorization will continue, in alignment with 9-1-1 ambulance services, whether as a pilot or as a permanent program and is designed to support the sustainability of emergency medical services and optimize resource allocation.
The City of Emeryville fulfills its obligations under the proposed agreement by way of its contract with the Alameda County Fire Department (ACFD). The ACFD staffs two FRALS units with engines at the Powell Street and Hollis Street fire stations. Section 3, Scope of Services, subsection a.3. Emergency Medical Response, of the Emeryville/ACFD contract provides that:
ACFD shall fulfill and does hereby assume City’s obligations under the City’s First Responder agreements with the Alameda County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) District which are hereby assigned to ACFD. ACFD’s duty to fulfill the City’s obligations under the First Responder agreements with the EMS District shall not affect the City’s right to receive all revenue from the EMS District due to the City under [the agreement].
There is no revenue associated with the proposed FRALS agreement. In prior years each participating FRALS agency was paid an annual amount based upon the number of emergency response units (engine and truck companies) that provided the FRALS service. The County no longer has funding to pay agencies for FRALS services.
Fiscal Impact
There is no direct fiscal impact from the proposed agreement as the County no longer provides FRALS funding to cities. The City must make best efforts to achieve a 90% performance level of Response Times as defined in the agreement.
Staff Communication with the Public
There has been no communication with the public regarding this agreement.
Conflict of Interest
None identified.
Conclusion
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution.
PREPARED BY: Pedro Jimenez, Assistant City Manager
Approved and Forwarded to the
City Council of the City of Emeryville:
Paul Buddenhagen, City Manager
Attachments
Attachment A – FRALS Agreement
Attachment B –FRALS Amendment
Draft Resolution
FRALS Contract Amendment to 2026
City Council Meeting | May 21, 2024
City of Emeryville
CALIFORNIA
MEMORANDUM