To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Public Health
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Ground Ambulance Permits for Fiscal Year 2020-21
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Authorize the Health Officer to renew ambulance operating permits for fiscal year (FY) 2019-20 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).
Body
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 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 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 three new ambulances that have not been inspected to date, and no longer operate the two ambulances that they submitted inspection reports for last year. A California Highway Patrol (CHP) vehicle inspection for one ambulance is scheduled for June 4, 2020 at the time of this writing. Per the CHP Regulated Special Purpose Vehicle Program Coordinator for this region, CHP inspections will continue as scheduled during the COVID-19 pandemic. The CHP is aware the new ambulances have not yet been inspected even though they are in use. Due to COVID-19, the CHP is allowing K’ima:w to operate the ambulances outside of the Hoopa Valley Reservation pending inspection as they do not want their service area to be without coverage. K’ima:w Ambulance is aware that they will not be covered by state law if their ambulance is involved in a vehicular accident outside of the reservation if their vehicles have not been inspected. The Permit Officer has determined to allow the issuance of a conditional permit for FY 2020-21 that will expire on July 15, 2020. Should K’ima:w fail to provide proof of CHP inspection and certification for all three ambulances, the Permit Officer may choose to revoke the conditional permit at that time for further consideration.
Therefore, the Permit Officer requests that your Board authorize the issuance of the five operating permits for the provision of ground services throughout the county for FY 2020-21.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The current fee for an ambulance permit is $196 annually, as set forth in the approved fee schedule for FY 2020-21. 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 2020-21. Public Health administrative staff will continue to provide program and fiscal support using existing resources, and there will be no impact to the General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by protecting vulnerable populations and providing community-appropriate levels of service.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Arcata-Mad River Ambulance, K’ima:w Medical Rescue Ambulance, City Ambulance of Eureka, Southern Trinity Area Rescue.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Your Board could choose not to authorize the renewal of ground ambulance permits for FY 2020-21, 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 “applications 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 2020-21 and has determined they meet those provisions.
ATTACHMENTS:
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-26
Meeting of: 08/20/19
File No.: 19-1120; 20-694