DATE: July 7, 2020
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: David Pomaville, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT: Retroactive Dispatch Services for the Madera County Ambulance Providers - Pistoresi Ambulance Services and Sierra Ambulance Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a retroactive revenue Agreement with Pistoresi Ambulance Service, for dispatch services through the Fresno County Emergency Medical Services Communications Center, effective July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2023 ($921,654).
2. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a retroactive Agreement with KWPH Enterprises, d.b.a. American Ambulance, for dispatch of Pistoresi Ambulance Services through the Fresno County Emergency Medical Services Communications Center, effective July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2023 ($804,852).
3. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a retroactive revenue Agreement with Sierra Ambulance Service, for dispatch services through the Fresno County Emergency Medical Services Communications Center, effective July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2023 ($297,540).
4. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a retroactive Agreement with KWPH Enterprises, d.b.a. American Ambulance, for dispatch of Sierra Ambulance Services through the Fresno County Emergency Medical Services Communications Center, effective July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2023 ($257,085).
REPORT
Approval of the first and third recommended actions will allow the continuation of ambulance dispatch services for the identified Madera County ambulance providers through the Fresno County Emergency Medical Services 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 to pass-through funds received from the ambulance service 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. This item pertains to services outside the County jurisdiction but necessary to the Emergency Medical Services Communications Center’s regional functions.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There are no viable alternative actions. Should your Board not approve the recommended actions, the identified Madera County ambulance providers would need to find other alternatives for dispatch services.
RETROACTIVE AGREEMENT:
The recommended agreements are retroactive to July 1, 2020, due to not receiving the final agreements from the ambulance service providers in sufficient time to meet prior Board date deadlines, and to ensure no break in services.
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 $921,654 and $297,540, respectively. The associated agreements with American Ambulance will be funded with $804,852 from Pistoresi and $257,085 from Sierra. The Department will retain $116,802 from Pistoresi and $40,455 from Sierra to offset County costs, such as personnel and radio equipment. The maximum amount of the recommended agreements with American Ambulance are $804,852 and $257,085 and will be fully offset with pass-through revenue received from the ambulance providers. There are no pending invoices pertaining to these Agreements. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues will be included in the Department’s Org 5620 FY 2020-21 Recommended Budget and subsequent budgets for the duration of the contract term.
DISCUSSION:
The Fresno County Emergency Medical Services (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 EMS Communications Center began dispatch services for Pistoresi and Sierra in 2005, and the prior Agreements (Agreement Nos. 19-382 and 19-384) for services were approved by the Board on August 6, 2019 and expired on June 30, 2020.
The proposed agreements with Pistoresi and Sierra allow the ambulance providers to continue contracting with the County for dispatch services utilizing the Fresno County Emergency Medical Services 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 ambulance providers to American Ambulance for dispatch services; and continue the services as provided for in prior Agreements (Agreement Nos. 19-383 and 19-385), approved by the Board on August 6, 2019 and expired on June 30, 2020.
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 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 agreements with American Ambulance can be terminated without cause by either party with a 30-day written notice or either party may terminate the contract if the other commits a material breach by providing a seven-day written notice, unless the breaching party cures the breach within the seven days. The proposed agreement contains 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.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #43, August 6, 2019
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:
Raul Guerra