City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: OCTOBER 18, 2022 FROM: FIRE DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL SUBJECT: APPROPRIATE $41,082 TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATION PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ACCOUNT TO CONDUCT AN EMERGENCY MEDICAL SYSTEM OPTIMIZATION PLAN – SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ISSUE:
Approve a supplemental appropriation from the General Fund in the amount of $41,082 to the Fire Department, Fire Administration Professional Services Account to conduct an Emergency Medical System Optimization Plan for the purpose of meeting and maintaining response standards, improving emergency service delivery, and public safety.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council with at least five affirmative votes, authorize the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, to record a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $41,082 in the General Fund, Fire Department Administration, Professional Services Account to conduct an Emergency Medical System Optimization Plan.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Riverside currently contracts with American Medical Response (AMR) who provides the emergency transportation services within the City of Riverside response area. The system that is currently in place has remained unchanged for nearly 25 years since AMR started providing service in the late 1990s. During the past three years with the COVID-19 Pandemic, the emergency medical system has been stretched to capacity, thereby prompting the need to evaluate the emergency medical system to ensure the Fire Department is providing the best level of service possible.
DISCUSSION:
The Fire Department will contract with AP Triton, LLC to complete the Emergency Medical System Optimization Plan (Plan). The Plan will provide an analysis of Riverside’s ambulance service area and a feasibility study including various emergency service models. The Plan will provide a detail report with analysis identifying how the City of Riverside can meet and sustain response time standards, improve emergency services, and improve public safety within its service area. AP Triton will also determine the feasibility, necessity, and regulatory ability to establish a Community Paramedicine program, which will outline different service models as compared to the traditional 911 emergency medical system.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority No. 2 Community Well-Being and Goal No. 2.6 - Strengthen community preparedness for emergencies to ensure effective response and recovery.
This item aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – An analysis of emergency services will ensure they are being provided at an appropriate level meeting the communities needs and maintaining community trust in the service that is being provided.
Equity – Evaluating Riverside’s emergency services system within its service area ensures the City’s public safety response level is effective and provides all residents, visitors, and businesses the highest quality emergency services response.
Fiscal Responsibility – The use of AP Triton, LLC engages fiscal responsibility by reviewing current emergency services delivery and identifying effective performance or usage of Fire Department resources.
Innovation – Understanding current emergency medical services models supports the City of Riverside’s pursuit to improve innovated alternative processes used in other emergency medical systems.
Sustainability & Resiliency – Evaluating Riverside’s emergency services system will support the Fire Department’s efforts to become better equipped to perform its primary mission to protect life, property, and the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact of this action is $41,082 to be appropriated from General Fund reserves. Upon City Council approval, a supplemental appropriation will be recorded in the General Fund, Fire Department, Fire Administration Professional Services account no. 3500000-421000.
Prepared by: LaWayne Hearn, Interim Fire Chief
Certified as to
availability of funds: Edward Enriquez, Interim Assistant City Manager\Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer
Approved by: Edward Enriquez, Interim Assistant City Manager\Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
EMS Appropriation ● Page 2