Discussion on any and all matters regarding Fire Department purchase of Image-Trend software to interface with Computer Aided Dispatch and emergency medical service reports. (Hank Green, Fire Chief)

The San Luis Fire Department (SLFD) is requesting authority to purchase a software system and to waive the requirement to go to request three (3) verbal quotes for this purchase, as allowed under the City of San Luis Purchasing Code; § 36.01(H). Software is unique by nature and as such is copyrighted.  For this reason and the following reasons as to why this particular software is unique, a search for three (3) verbal quotes would be futile.

The software requested will allow the interface of our computer aided dispatching (CAD) system with hardware/software for use in the field to initiate patient care documentation.  This software is specifically developed to auto-populate incident information (date, time, run number, etc.) into the patient care report (PCR) and when completed, upload our PCR data to the Arizona Department of Health Services-Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Systems (AzDHS-BEMSTS) data base for research and ambulance service provider compliance.

AzDHS-BEMSTS has utilized Image-Trend as their data gathering and data analysis program.  There is no value to SLFD purchasing any other similar software, since their integration and reporting features would not be compatible with existing software, data analysis and reporting systems.

Some additional features about using Image-Trend is that the specific reporting software is free for us to use, but the interface software we are purchasing will allow the annual update to continue to allow interaction and interface between our CAD and the current reporting software.

Additionally, this software has the ability to allow our billing agent and Yuma Regional Medical Center to access our reports.  The access, by either party, is accomplished under a secured system log-on and facilitates both the review of patient care reports and ambulance service billing.