9.C.
City Council Meeting - FINAL
- Meeting Date:
- 06/04/2013
- From:
- Jerry Bills, Deputy Fire Chief
Information
TITLE:
Consideration and Approval of a Contract: Pre-Hospital Care Emergency Service Agreement with Flagstaff Medical Center.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
-
Consider an Agreement with Flagstaff Medical Center in the amount of $6,500 for Medical Direction of Flagstaff Fire Department Paramedics and Advance Life Support drug box rental.
Policy Decision or Reason for Action:
This action is required to allow the fire department to have the Medical Direction and oversight the State of Arizona requires to provide Advance Life Support service in the community. The agreement also provides 8 sets of medications to ensure all of our paramedic assigned apparatus have the ability to provide advanced cardiac life support services.
Financial Impact:
The agreement is funded through the Fire Department Budget and is require to maintain Paramedic services to the City's citizens and visitors.
Connection to Council Goal:
Effective governance.
Has There Been Previous Council Decision on This:
The agreement is renewed every five years and has been in place for a minimum of 20 years.This agreement has an increase in cost of $800 annually and this cost is locked in for the next 5 years.
Options and Alternatives:
1.) Approval continues Paramedic services.
2.) Non approval will stop Paramedic services on July 1, 2013.
3.) Seek another source for Medical Direction and drug box rental.
2.) Non approval will stop Paramedic services on July 1, 2013.
3.) Seek another source for Medical Direction and drug box rental.
Background/History:
The Flagstaff Fire Department has provided Advanced Life Support services using Paramedics for over twenty years with the cooperation of Flagstaff Medical Center. The cooperation consists of an agreement allowing Fire Department paramedics to operate under the medical direction of FMC's doctor staff. Medical Direction is required by Arizona State Statutes in order to operate as an Advance Life Support provider.
Key Considerations:
In order to provide paramedic level services, this agreement is required.
Expanded Financial Considerations:
The cost of this agreement is budgeted in the Fire Department's operating budget. The cost is $50.00 per Paramedic for Medical Direction oversight and $625.00 for each drug box. This is a $100 increase per box from previous years. The Department has 8 drug boxes that reside on each fire unit. These drug boxes consist of all the medications the Paramedics are able to use through the Medical Directors oversight. The drugs are monitored, exchanged or refilled through the hospital pharmacy under this agreement, and there is no charge to the Department.
Community Benefits and Considerations:
The benefit to the community is the continuation of Paramedic services.
Community Involvement:
No community involvement in this process.
Expanded Options and Alternatives:
1.) Approval of the agreement will continue the Fire Departments Paramedic services.
2.) A Non Approved agreement will stop Paramedic services on July 1, 2013.
3.) Seek another Provider for these services.
2.) A Non Approved agreement will stop Paramedic services on July 1, 2013.
3.) Seek another Provider for these services.