HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 1995 1101 CC REG ITEM 08KCITY OF MOORPARK
CITY COUNCIL REPORT
TO: The Honorable City Council
FROM: Mary K. Lindley, Assistant to the City Manager .1 i�-\
DATE: October 24, 1995 (CC Meeting of November 1)
SUBJECT: Consider Firefighter Paramedics
Background
ITEM Ys K•
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On June 7, 1995, Chief Sewell, Ventura County Fire Protection District, came before the City
Council to speak about potential staff restructuring at Fire Station 40. During the discussion that
followed his presentation, Councilmembers asked about the potential use of Proposition 172 funds
for a paramedic pilot program. As a result, the City recently received a letter from Chief Sewell as
his follow up to the June 7 discussion (see Attachment A).
In 1990, the City began looking into the issue of enhancing Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and
response times in Moorpark. The City's objective was to have a fully staffed paramedic operation
within the City's limits. At that time, the EMS provider, Pruner Ambulance Company, did not have
a paramedic unit housed in Moorpark.
In November 1990, the City Council directed the Budget and Finance Committee to identify ways
to improve the City's EMS service. The two options identified were 1) the use of firefighter
paramedics and 2) expansion of the County's contract with Pruner to house a paramedic unit locally.
On May 22, 1991, and January 15, 1992, the City Council allocated $125,000 to conduct a one -year
firefighter paramedic pilot program at both stations in Moorpark. There was much resistance from
the Board of Supervisors to pursue this option.
Shortly thereafter, Pruner came forward with a plan to house a paramedic unit in the City. With the
help of City staff, Pruner was successful in securing site on Moorpark Avenue. To date, City staff
is unaware of any problems with this arrangement, and we have not received comments from the
public expressing dissatisfaction with the current system.
The $125,000 identified earlier by the City Council for a potential pilot program has since been
reallocated to other projects.
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Firefighter Paramedics
Page 2
Chief Sewell's letter does not mention the use of Proposition 172 funds for a pilot firefighter
paramedic program. However, his letter contains a costs proposal for a firefighter paramedic
program with two options, 1) a paramedic unit stationed at Fire Station 42, and 2) a paramedic unit
stationed at both Fire Stations 42 and 40. The costs for each option are summarized as follows:
Option Option 2
Initial Costs $ 42,887 $ 81,460
Annual Costs $56.884 $102,275
First Year Total $99,771 $183,735
The Budget and Finance Committee (Mayor Lawrason, former Councilmember Montgomery)
discussed Chief Sewell's letter at it October 9, 1995, meeting and recommended that the City not
pursue a firefighter paramedic program at this time.
Recommendation
The Budget and Finance Committee and staff recommend that the City Council decline the Fire
District's offer to implement a firefighter paramedic program, and direct staff to convey the Council's
actions to Chief Sewell in writing.
VENTURA COUNTY
FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
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165 Durley Avenue
Camarillo, CA 93010 -8586
(805) 389 -9710
FAX (805) 388 -4364
rember 20, 1995
Mr. Steve Kueny, City Manager
City of Moorpark
799 Moorpark Avenue
Moorpark, CA 93021
Subject: Pilot Paramedic Program
Dear Mr. Kueny:
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JAMES E. SEWELL
County Fire Chief
CITY OI P''OORPARK
OFFICE OF CITY MANAGER
This letter is to follow up on the City Council's June 1995 request of the Fire District to
provide a cost estimate for a pilot Firefighter /Paramedic program within the city.
Attached is a copy of the information requested which includes two options,
dependant upon the type of service levels desired. It is the Fire District's opinion that
we can provide an excellent program within these cost estimates. This program, if
initiated, will be a stand -alone application with all component costs borne by the city.
The Fire District will require a three -year contract for this beta project to offset initial
start-up costs.
would like to meet with you within the next two weeks if possible to discuss this
matter further. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call me at 309 -9701.
Thank you for giving the Fire District the opportunity to better serve the citizens of
Moorpark.
Sincerely,
J es �ESewell
Fire Chief
cc: Lin Koester, Chief Administrative Officer
Providing protection"and preservation of life, property and environment tn• Th.
Huanomo C;—
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MOORPARK PARAMEDIC ASSESSMENT ENGINE
OPTION 1 (1 Paramedic on E -42)
PERSONNEL INITIAL COST
5 Firefighter /Paramedics* 2,500
Medical Director
SERVICES AND SUPPLIES
Training 19,063
Insurance
Communications /Cellular
ALS Equipment Maintenance
Medical Supplies 6,442
Purchasing ISF 882
EQUIPMENT
ALS 14,000
TOTAL 42,887
ANNUAL COST
37,466
1,000
5,000
2,000
1,487
1,250
5,000
333
3_
* Amount is for bonus and related benefits. All other personnel costs are for salaries and benefits. 4 Firefighter /Paramedics are
existing FTE allocations. Program will result in no new FTE's.
** These are dollars for replacement reserves and are not hard current year costs.
The following costs were not Included because they either do not apply or could be easily absorbed Into existing operating budget.
if more ALS Engines were to be added, these would need to be Included:
Personnel
Professional and Specialized Services
Office Supplies
Minor Equipment
Printing
Private Vehicle Mileage
Seminars /Conferences
Memberships
Books /Publications
Cost Allocation
Communications (FCC)
Computer L
Long and Short Term Debt Services
00004:25
MOORPARK PARAMEDIC ASSESSMENT ENGINE
OPTION 2 (1 Paramedic on E-42 and 1 Paramedic on E-40)
PERSONNEL INITIAL COST ANNUAL COST
9 Fi refig hter/ Paramedics* 4,500
Medical Director
SERVICES AND SUPPLIES
Training 34,312
Insurance
Communications /Cellular
ALS Equipment Maintenance
Medical Supplies 12,884
Purchasing ISF 1,764
EQUIPMENT
ALS 28.000
TOTAL 81,460
67,439
1,000
9,000
3,000
2,974
2,500
10,000
666
6.696 **
102,275
* Amount Is for bonus and related benefits. All other personnel costs are for salaries and benefits. 4 Firefighter /Paramedics are
existing FTE allocations. Program will result In no new FTE's.
** These are dollars for replacement reserves and are not hard current year costs.
The following costs were not included because they either do not apply or could be easily absorbed into existing operating budget.
If more ALS Engines were to be added, these would need to be Included:
Personnel
Professional and Specialized Services
Office Supplies
Minor Equipment
Printing
Private Vehicle Mileage
Seminars /Conferences
Memberships
Books /Publications
Cost Allocation
Communications (FCC)
Computer
Long and Short Term Debt Services
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