To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Public Health
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
K’ima:w Medical Center Rescue Ambulance - Service Area/Zone II Ground Ambulance Permit for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Authorize the Humboldt County Health Officer to renew ambulance operating permit for ground ambulance provider K’ima:w Medical Center Rescue Ambulance - Service Area/Zone II (East - Hoopa/Willow Creek) for FY 2024-25.
Body
STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: Safe & Healthy Communities
Strategic Plan Category: 1001 -Support and sustain partnerships between public safety and partner agencies to enhance public safety in our communities
DISCUSSION:
Ambulance services in Humboldt County are regulated under the provision of County Code Title V - Health and Safety, Division 5, Emergency Medical Services System. Code section 551-3 Ambulance Service Permit mandates ambulance companies must hold a current valid permit for operation of an ambulance service. The county issues five permits annually to provide ground ambulance services in four service areas. Service Area/Zone IV is shared by City Ambulance of Eureka covering Fortuna and Garberville Sub-Zones while Southern Trinity Area Rescue covers Southern Trinity/Eastern Humboldt in the Highway 36 corridor.
Code sections 551-4 (a) through (e) and 551-7 allows renewal of existing permits by the Board of Supervisors if it is found that all provisions of the sections have been met. The Humboldt County Health Officer has reviewed the K’ima:w Medical Center Rescue Ambulance - Service Area/Zone II (East - Hoopa/Willow Creek) renewal application and required documentation provided and has determined that they meet those provisions, which include approved rates for services, required insurance coverage, vehicle inspection reports and payment of fees.
Accordingly, the Humboldt County Health Officer requests that your Board authorize the issuance of the operating permit for the provision of ground services throughout Humboldt County for FY 2024-25.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Public Health Funds (1175-400)
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The current fee for an ambulance permit is $196 annually, as set forth in the approved fee schedule. This fee is reviewed and changed, if necessary, annually through the Humboldt County fee process. Fees for ambulance permits are deposited into fund Department of Health and Human Services- Public Health budget unit 1175-400. The estimated revenue from ambulance permits was included in the adopted county budget.
STAFFING IMPACT:
The recommended actions will not impact current staffing levels.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
N/A
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Your Board could choose not to authorize the renewal of ground ambulance permit for K’ima:w Medical Center Rescue Ambulance - Service Area/Zone II (East - Hoopa/Willow Creek) for FY 2024-25. However, this alternative is not recommended since it will not allow for the provision of needed ambulance services in certain portions of Humboldt County.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Application K’ima:w Medical Center Rescue Ambulance - Service Area/Zone II
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: 8/8/2023
File No.: 23-1022