Discussion and possible action on any and all matters regarding ratification of payment for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) training and to waive procurement procedures.  (Hank Green, Fire Chief)

San Luis Fire Department (SLFD) was shopping for providers for Certified Emergency Paramedic (CEP) training; we had projected to enroll 6 Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) in this training.

SLFD first contacted Arizona Western College (AWC) asking about their next class.  They responded that they were already 3 to 4 months into a Paramedic class.  To schedule and present another one would require a minimum of 12 students and probably not start until next spring or summer, if the class could be filled.  This timeline was not desirable nor beneficial to SLFD’s operational plans and would delay training.

SLFD then contacted Wizard Education who provided the 2013 Paramedic class; the one co-sponsored by Amanda Aguirre’s Regional Center for Border Health and held at SLFD.  Wizard has the ability to accommodate smaller classes in remote areas by utilizing interactive televised networks (ITN) to provide lectures while having proctored testing and skills.  SLFD had 10 students enrolled in that class and all ten became certified. 

Wizard had an ITN Paramedic Class beginning on November 2, 2017.  This opportunity did not allow us the time to get the approval of City Council prior to the beginning of class.  SLFD had discussed possibilities and options regarding our ability to (1) enroll our students in the Wizard class, (2) obtain authorization to expend budgeted funds, (3) defer the single tuition payment until we obtained approval of City Council (4) not miss this opportunity to cultivate six (6) more Paramedics and (5) postpone the next generation of SLFD Paramedics until sometime in very late 2019 or early 2020.

SLFD talked with City Administrator De La Hoya who indicated that he was, with the concurrence of Legal, Finance, and Procurement, willing to allow this request for Paramedic training to be introduced at the November 15th Work Session and ratified at the November 21st Special Meeting; the Work Session was cancelled and these items were not resubmitted for consideration on the November 21st or subsequent meeting agendas. 

Legal, Procurement and Finance all expressed the concern that Wizard Education would have to agree to accept a payment after the class started and upon approval of City Council, allow our students to enroll and participate in the education and training without “officially” being enrolled or, if the ratification was not obtained, bill SLFD and accept a very much smaller amount for the 3 weeks of instruction received and our students would then cease participation in their class.

Wizard has allowed SLFD personnel to start this class and is willing to defer our tuition payment until authorization for expenditure is ratified by City Council.  SLFD students began their training November 2, 2017.

The Ambulance Service was allocated $50,000 for the Paramedic training within the FY18 budget; account 340-341-80036: Non-degree seeking certifications.  Invoiced cost for this training is $47,700.00. 

SLFD was also in need of scheduled EMS Refresher training for EMT and CEP personnel.  Our desire was to provide both training classes at the same time, providing basic life support training at the same time as advanced life support training and limiting the impacts of the training schedule to one (1) week rather than two (2) classes, each for one week.  Wizard was again willing to accommodate our request for such a class and to provide it on location at SLFD.  This class was provided November 27 through December 1, 2017.  And again, Wizard was willing to defer our tuition payment until authorization for expenditure is ratified by City Council. 

The Fire Department was allocated $8,500 for the Refresher training within the FY18 budget; account 100-182-80036: Non-degree seeking certifications.  Invoiced cost for this training is $7,685.00. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding thus far.

SLFD is also requesting City Council apply §36.02 EXCLUSIVE SERVICES of the City of San Luis Code to the ratification of the expenditure for Paramedic training.  This section permits us to obtain services or commodities without bidding in the event that there is only one firm or company or individual capable of providing a particular service or commodity.

As stated previously, SLFD cannot obtain Paramedic training within our desired timeline, for a small group of students such as we have and at our Fire Station, from any other provider except Wizard Education.  SLFD considers them a “sole source provider” that can meet our immediate needs, criteria for classes and the education desired.