DATE: August 6, 2019
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: David Pomaville, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT: Agreement with KWPH Enterprises, dba American Ambulance, for Dispatch Services in Kings County
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a retroactive Agreement with KWPH Enterprises, dba American Ambulance, for dispatching services in Kings County through the Fresno County Emergency Medical Services Communications Center, effective July 1, 2019 through October 31, 2020 ($58,053).
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will allow the continuation of dispatch services for American Ambulance for ambulance operations in Kings County through the Fresno County Emergency Medical Services Communications Center (EMS Center). The compensation received from American Ambulance through the proposed agreement will offset County costs, with no increase in Net County Cost. The inclusion of dispatch services for ambulances in Kings County facilitates the management of resources in a regional setting, which allows the EMS Center to assure the closest ambulance responds to medical emergencies, regardless of geopolitical boundaries. Since the County is a regional EMS Agency that has responsibility for the administration of EMS in Kings County, it is beneficial to have the coordination of ambulance resources in a consolidated location with County EMS resources. This item pertains to services outside the County’s jurisdiction but necessary due to the EMS Center’s regional functions.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should your Board not approve the recommended action, American Ambulance would need to find another dispatch center for its operations in Kings County.
RETROACTIVE AGREEMENT:
The recommended agreement is retroactive to July 1, 2019, due to cost determination and negotiations with American Ambulance.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The recommended agreement will provide $58,053 for Department of Public Health costs associated with the dispatch services in Kings County. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues will be included in the Department’s Org 5620 FY 2019-20 Recommended Budget.
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 American Ambulance emergency medical dispatching services for Kings County in 2000.
The proposed agreement allows American Ambulance to continue dispatching services in Kings County through the EMS Center. The EMS Center is staffed and operated by American Ambulance under Agreement No. 17-218, its exclusive operating agreement with the County Fresno.
In previous years, American Ambulance included the payment of dispatch services through the County exclusive operating agreement. Due to the upcoming construction of a new dispatch center and the expiration of American Ambulance’s revenue agreement with Kings County in October 2020, the Department recommends a separate agreement for ambulance dispatch services in Kings County.
The proposed agreement 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. In addition, the proposed agreement contains a mutual hold harmless clause. 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 agreement contains a force majeure clause, which excuses the parties’ performance under the agreement. The proposed agreement will be effective from July 1, 2019 through October 31, 2020 and deviates from the County’s standard agreement of three-year base with two one-year extensions due to the Kings County ambulance contract expiring in October 2020.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #14, May 16, 2017 - Agt. No. 17-218
August 24, 2010 - Agt No. 2010-070 - Kings County Agreement with American Ambulance
BAI #33r, July 25, 2000 - Agt No. A-00-445
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with KWPH Enterprises, dba American Ambulance
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia M. De La Rosa