DATE: July 9, 2024
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: David Luchini, RN, PHN, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT: First Amendment to the Agreement with KWPH Enterprises, d.b.a American Ambulance
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute First Amendment to Agreement with KWPH Enterprises, d.b.a. American Ambulance, for dispatching of ambulances in Kings County through the Fresno County Emergency Medical Services Communications Center, effective upon execution with no change to the term of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026 and increasing the maximum by $144,168 to a total of $252,294.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will increase compensation the County receives for ambulance dispatch services for American Ambulance in its Kings County ambulance operations through the Fresno County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Communications Center. The revenue received will offset County costs, with no increase in Net County Cost.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There are no viable alternative actions. Should your Board not approve the recommended actions, the Department will continue to not capture increased ambulance dispatch costs with the County’s EMS Communications Center.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The recommended revenue agreement with American Ambulance will provide an increase of $144,168 ($72,084 annually) for County costs associated with the dispatch of ambulances in Kings County starting July 1, 2024. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues will be included in the Department’s Org 5620 FY 2024-25 Recommended Budget and will be included in subsequent budget requests.
DISCUSSION:
The Fresno County EMS Communications Center (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 American Ambulance’s Kings County operations in 2000.
On June 20, 2023, the County established a new agreement (No. 23-332) with K.W.P.H. Enterprises, Inc., d.b.a American Ambulance, for the provision of ambulance dispatch services at the EMS Communications Center, which is staffed and operated by American Ambulance under its exclusive operating agreement with the County of Fresno. The new agreement coincides with the contract term of American’s exclusive operating agreement in Kings County.
The recommended action increases monthly payments from American Ambulance to the County from $3,003.50 to $9,010.50 to accurately capture costs for dispatching of American Ambulance’s vehicles in Kings County.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #68, June 20, 2023
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - First Amendment to Agreement with American Ambulance
CAO ANALYST:
Ron Alexander