DATE: September 12, 2017
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: David Pomaville, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT: Dispatch Services for the Madera County Ambulance Providers - Pistoresi Ambulance Service and Sierra Ambulance Service
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a retroactive revenue Agreement with Pistoresi Ambulance Service, for dispatching services through the Fresno County Emergency Medical Services Communications Center, effective July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018, with one optional one-year extension ($445,741);
2. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a retroactive Agreement with KWPH Enterprises, d.b.a. American Ambulance, for dispatching of Pistoresi Ambulance Service through the Fresno County Emergency Medical Services Communications Center, effective July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018, with one optional one-year extension ($389,643);
3. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a retroactive revenue Agreement with Sierra Ambulance Service for dispatching services through the Fresno County Emergency Medical Services Communications Center, effective July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018, with one optional one-year extension ($142,410);
4. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a retroactive Agreement with KWPH Enterprises, d.b.a. American Ambulance, for dispatching of Sierra Ambulance Service through the Fresno County Emergency Medical Services Communications Center, effective July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018, with one optional one-year extension ($124,288); and,
5. Authorize the Director of the Department of Public Health to execute a written approval of a one-year extension to the agreements in Recommended Action Nos. 1 to 4, when appropriate pursuant to the terms of the agreements.
REPORT
Approval of the first and third recommended actions will allow the continuation of ambulance dispatch services for the Madera County ambulance providers through the Fresno County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Communications Center. Approval of the second and fourth recommended actions will allow the Department of Public Health to contract with American Ambulance for dispatch services. The proposed agreements with American Ambulance allow the County to pass-through funds received from the ambulance providers for reimbursement of personnel and dispatch costs provided by American Ambulance, retaining a portion to offset County costs, with no increase in Net County Cost. Approval of the fifth recommended action will authorize the Department Director to execute the one-year extension of the four agreements.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There are no viable alternative actions. Should your Board not approve the recommended actions, the Madera County ambulance providers would need to find other alternatives for dispatch services.
RETROACTIVE AGREEMENT:
The agreements are retroactive to July 1, 2017, due to extended negotiations with the ambulance providers. The current agreements expired on June 30, 2017
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The recommended revenue agreements with Pistoresi Ambulance Service (Pistoresi) and Sierra Ambulance Service (Sierra) will provide a total of $445,741 and $142,410, respectively. The associated agreements with American Ambulance will be funded with $389,643 from Pistoresi and $124,288 from Sierra. The Department will retain $56,098 from Pistoresi and $18,122 from Sierra to offset County costs, such as personnel and radio equipment. The maximum amount of the recommended agreements with American Ambulance are $389,643 and $124,288 and will be fully offset with pass-through revenue received from the ambulance providers. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues will be included in the Department’s Org 5620 FY 2017-18 Recommended Budget and in the FY 2018-19 budget request.
DISCUSSION:
The Fresno County EMS Communications Center is a regional dispatch center responsible for the management and dispatch of all ambulance requests in Fresno, Kings, and Madera Counties. The Center began dispatching services for Pistoresi and Sierra in 2005 and the current agreements (Agreement No. 12-589 and 12-591 for services were approved by your Board on November 13, 2012 and expired on June 30, 2017.
The proposed agreements with Pistoresi and Sierra allow the ambulance providers to continue contracting with the County for dispatching services utilizing the Fresno County EMS Communications Center, which is staffed and operated by American Ambulance under its exclusive operating agreement with the County. The proposed agreements with American Ambulance for dispatch services allows the County to pass-through funds received from the Providers to American Ambulance for dispatch services.
The proposed agreements with Pistoresi and Sierra can be terminated without cause by either party with a 90-day written notice, and either party may terminate the contract if the other party commits a material breach by providing a 30-day written notice, unless the breaching party cures the breach within the 30 days. The proposed American Ambulance agreements can be terminated without cause by either party with a 60-day written notice or either party may terminate the contract if the other party commits a material breach by providing a seven-day written notice, unless the breaching party cures the breach within the seven days.
The proposed agreements contain a mutual hold harmless clause and in the event of an act of god, act of public enemy, or other extraordinary cause not reasonably within the control of either party, the proposed agreements contain a force majeure clause, which excuses the parties’ performance under the agreements. The proposed agreements will be effective July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018 with an optional one-year extension upon mutual agreement of the parties and deviate from the County’s standard agreement of three-year base with two one-year extensions due to a request for a shorter term by the Pistoresi and Sierra.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #26, November 13, 2012 - Agt. Nos. 12-589, 12-590, 12-591, 12-592
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Pistoresi Ambulance Service
On file with Clerk - Agreement with American Ambulance (Pistoresi)
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Sierra Ambulance Service
On file with Clerk - Agreement with American Ambulance (Sierra)
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia De La Rosa