Discussion and possible action on any and all matters regarding payment and ratification for Emergency Medical Services Training (Paramedic Class) with Wizard Education.  (Angel Ramirez, Fire Chief)

The San Luis Fire Department (SLFD) has been shopping around for providers to have Certified Emergency Paramedic (CEP) training classes.  The department contacted Wizard Education which has provided paramedic classes in the past; the one co-sponsored by Amanda Aguirre’s Regional Center for Border Health and held at SLFD and several others that have been 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 many students with Wizard Education and all of them have become certified or are in the process of becoming certified. Currently, we have three (3) students in the class with a program end date of March 2023.

With the growing needs of our city, we must keep up with the trends that are happening. We really need to focus on having a greater number of paramedics in our department, so we can staff more ambulances and provide better patient care and services for our residents of the City of San Luis.  SLFD considers Wizard Education a “sole source provider,” which is allowable through city procurement code 36.02 (exclusive services) that can meet our immediate needs, criteria for classes, and the education desired. We would also want to ratify the item since the class has started already.

The Ambulance Service has allocated $50,000.00 for the EMS Training within the Fiscal Year 2023 budget; account 340-341-80036: Non-degree seeking certifications.  The invoice cost for this training will be $25,350.00.