To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Public Health
SUBJECT:
title
Ground Ambulance Permits for Fiscal Year 2018-19
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors authorize the Health Officer to renew ambulance operating permits for fiscal year (FY) 2018-19 for the following ground ambulance providers: Arcata-Mad River Ambulance for Service Area I (Northwest - Arcata/McKinleyville), K’ima:w Medical Center Rescue Ambulance for Service Area II (East - Hoopa), City Ambulance of Eureka for Service Area III (Central - Eureka) and Service Area IV (South - Fortuna and Garberville Sub-Zones), and Southern Trinity Area Rescue for Service Area IV (Southern Trinity/Eastern Humboldt - Highway 36).
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Public Health Funds
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 (5) permits annually to provide ground ambulance services in four (4) 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 Permit Officer (Health Officer) has reviewed each 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.
K’ima:w Medical Center Rescue Ambulance has not previously held a California Highway Patrol (CHP) permit based on local CHP office’s advice that it is not necessary as they are a tribal, thus sovereign entity. However, upon follow-up with the state CHP office it was discovered that K’ima:w Medical Center Rescue Ambulance should hold a CHP permit as they do travel outside of tribal land as an operating ambulance company within the county. Given that this is a new requirement to K’ima:w Medical Center Rescue Ambulance and are actively seeking a CHP permit, the Permit Officer has determined to allow issuance of a FY 2018-19 on the condition that they actively pursue and obtain a CHP permit.
Upon issuance of the ambulance service permit, if there is no evidence provided to the Permit Officer showing that K’ima:w Medical Center Rescue Ambulance is actively pursuing the CHP permit, the permit may be suspended per Title V, Division 5, Chapter 1, Section 551-11 of the Humboldt County Code.
Therefore, the Permit Officer (Health Officer) requests that your Board authorize the issuance of the five (5) operating permits for the provision of ground services throughout the county for FY 2018-19.
This item is late before your Board due to shortage of staffing and staff transition.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The current fee for an ambulance permit is $196 annually, as set forth in the approved fee schedule for fiscal year 2018-19. This fee is reviewed and changed, if necessary, annually through the Humboldt County fee process. Fees for ambulance permits are deposited into fund 1175, Budget Unit 400, Public Health Administration. The estimated revenue from ambulance permits was included in the proposed county budget for FY 2018-19. Public Health administrative staff will continue to provide program and fiscal support using existing resources.
The proposed permit renewals support the Board’s Strategic Framework by protecting vulnerable populations and providing community-appropriate levels of service.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
N/A
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Your Board could choose not to authorize the renewal of ground ambulance permits for FY 2018-19, however this is not recommended. County Code Title V - Health and Safety, Division 5, Emergency Medical Services System requires permits for ambulance services. Further, County Code Title V - Health and Safety, Division 5, Emergency Medical Services, Chapter 1 - Establishment of Emergency Medical Services System and Regulation of Ambulance Services states that “{a}pplications for renewal of an existing permit shall be approved when the Board of Supervisors finds that the provisions of Sections 551-4 (a) through (e) and 551-7 have been met.” As set forth above, the Permit Officer (Health Officer) has reviewed the applications for FY 2018-19 and has determined they meet those provisions.
ATTACHMENTS:
Applications and required documentation for the following:
1. Arcata-Mad river Ambulance - Service Area/Zone I
2. K’ima:w Medical Center Rescue Ambulance - Service Area/Zone II
3. City Ambulance of Eureka - Service Area/Zone III and IV
4. Southern Trinity Area Rescue - Service Area/Zone IV
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-13
Meeting of: 6/6/17