SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve an amendment to the Emergency Medical Services ALS First Responder Agreement between Pinellas County and City of Clearwater to provide funding changes for Engine 45, and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
Body
SUMMARY:
The Pinellas County Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMS Authority) is a special district created for the purpose of providing Emergency Medical Services (EMS) throughout Pinellas County, pursuant to Chapter 80-585, Laws of Florida, and Chapter 54, Article III, Pinellas County Code, as amended.
Pinellas County has contracted with various municipalities and independent special fire districts in the County to provide first responder services and has also contracted with an ambulance contractor to provide emergency and non-emergency transport services.
Through this contract, Clearwater Fire & Rescue will provide advanced life support services to the residents of the City of Clearwater and to individuals within the unincorporated area of Pinellas County that is located within the Clearwater Fire Control District.
Under previous agreements, the EMS Authority reimbursed Clearwater Fire Rescue for operating five rescue units and three advanced life support engines (ALS). Clearwater Fire Rescue operated an additional three ALS engines to provide upgraded service to the fire district.
The EMS Authority has recognized the need for one of the unfunded units, Engine 45, to be recognized as an authority funded unit to meet the Authority’s EMS needs in the Clearwater Fire District. This contract amendment provides $430,060 of additional revenue to fund one full-time equivalent (FTE) fire medic position on this unit and associated operating costs. There are no additional expenditures associated with the amendment since Clearwater Fire & Rescue had already been providing this upgraded level of service.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT: N/A
USE OF RESERVE FUNDS: N/A