Agenda No. 5.
CITY COUNCIL MEMORANDUM
| City Council Meeting: | July 18, 2023 |
| Department: | Emergency Medical Services |
| Subject: | Resolution 23-R-57- Consideration and /or action by the City Council of the City of Schertz, Texas, approving a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with R. Donovan Butter, D.O. for EMS Medical Direction. (S.Williams/J.Mabbitt) |
BACKGROUND
Schertz Emergency Medical Services provides regional ambulance transportation to the communities of Schertz, Cibolo, Live Oak, Marion, Santa Clara, Selma and Universal City. We also serve the western portion of Guadalupe County, Comal County ESD # 6 (which includes the City of Garden Ridge, Bracken community and the areas along F.M. 3009 to State Highway 46) and JBSA-Randolph AFB.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel are required to work under the direction and license of a qualified Medical Director. The Medical Director reviews medical procedures, writes medical protocols and serves as oversight for the prescribed patient care to ensure that the treatment is appropriate.
Dr. Butter has been the EMS Medical Director since September 9, 1993 when he was appointed by Mayor Sawyer. It was a unanimous vote by Councilmembers Joe Potempa, Hal Baldwin, Mary March and Ken Greenwald.
The duties of a Medical Director are extensive and the ultimate responsibility for the skills and care provided by the medics in our service rest on the EMS Medical Director.
The agreement includes a 13-month initial term through September 30, 2024 with the option to renew for three (3) additional terms of one (1) year each unless terminated as provided for in this agreement.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel are required to work under the direction and license of a qualified Medical Director. The Medical Director reviews medical procedures, writes medical protocols and serves as oversight for the prescribed patient care to ensure that the treatment is appropriate.
Dr. Butter has been the EMS Medical Director since September 9, 1993 when he was appointed by Mayor Sawyer. It was a unanimous vote by Councilmembers Joe Potempa, Hal Baldwin, Mary March and Ken Greenwald.
The duties of a Medical Director are extensive and the ultimate responsibility for the skills and care provided by the medics in our service rest on the EMS Medical Director.
The agreement includes a 13-month initial term through September 30, 2024 with the option to renew for three (3) additional terms of one (1) year each unless terminated as provided for in this agreement.
GOAL
The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) requires EMS agencies to have a medical director to allow medics to treat patients with medical protocols that he approves and authorizes.
COMMUNITY BENEFIT
To continue providing EMS services to the community who we serve.
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED ACTION
Approval of the agreement will allow the EMS department to continue operating in our service area.
FISCAL IMPACT
The EMS department intends to pay Dr. Butter from the approved budget not to exceed $57,000 per fiscal year. We have included several new requirements to include specifying the number of hours of contact time Dr. Butter will be spending in the EMS department, attending meetings and serving as our Regional Infection Control Officer (RICO) which is required by DSHS - EMS previously contracted a 3rd party for these services.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve the resolution and authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with R. Donovan Butter, D. O. for EMS Medical Director Services.