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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-26-2003-8IORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: June 26, 2003 Action Agenda Item No. ~ - j SUBJECT: EMS Events and Facilities Contract with Oran a EMS & Rescue S uad, Inc. DEPARTMENT: Emergency Management PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): Contract INFORMATION CONTACT: Nick Waters, ext 3030 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To consider revising and renewing the existing contract with Orange EMS & Rescue Squad, Inc. to provide for special event coverage, leasing of space in Squad buildings, and the sharing of County and Squad resources in the delivery of emergency medical services for the period July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2004. BACKGROUND: The BOCC has approved the transition of the emergency transportation function from Orange EMS & Rescue Squad personnel to County personnel effective June 30, 2003. This service delivery change has created the need for significant revision of the existing contract between the County and the Squad. The attached revised contract provides for ongoing collaboration between the two agencies in the provision of EMS service at special events, the leasing of space in Squad facilities for use by the County, and the provision of services and equipment by the County for the Squad. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There will be some staff time involved in the administration of the system. The terms of the contract call for the County to pay the Squad the amount of $4,588 per month for rent and utilities for station space for the twelve months of the agreement. This amount is included in the Emergency Management departmental budget for FY 2003-04. As discussed by the Board at the June 16, 2003 budget work session, staff will review the long- term facility and operational issues when considering any contract renewal for FY 04-05 and beyond. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the contract with Orange EMS and Rescue Squad through June 30, 2004, subject to final review by staff and the County Attorney, and authorize the Chair to sign it. STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF ORANGE AGREEMENT BETWEEN ORANGE EMS AND RESCUE SQUAD, INC. AND ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into July 1, 2003 by and between Orange EMS and Rescue Squad, Inc., hereinafter referred to as "THE SQUAD" and Orange County, North Carolina, hereinafter referred to as "THE COUNTY", for and on behalf of its Office of Emergency Management Services. WITNESSETH: WHEREAS, THE COUNTY pursuant to the authority contained in N.C.G.S.153A-250(b), wishes to have a private non-profit organization provide the EMS Special Events coverage, augment the County Staff in the EMS Transportation, and to provide leased space within the Squad Buildings for County staff and vehicles; and WHEREAS, THE COUNTY wishes to provide compensation for those goods and services, in monetary and in-kind contributions annually; and 2 WHEREAS, THE SQUAD desires to provide these goods and services to THE COUNTY. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the following mutual promises, covenants and conditions, THE COUNTY and THE SQUAD agree as follows: I. SQUAD RESPONSIBILITIES A. To name a single point of contact for administrative business on behalf of THE SQUAD. The name of this individual shall be provided to THE COUNTY upon the signing of this agreement. THE SQUAD shall provide THE COUNTY with notice of any change in the contact person 5 working days prior to the effective date of the change. B. To provide EMS staffing at special events, with the exception of the Raceway and Kartway. In no event shall THE SQUAD permit the staffing of ambulances by individuals certified below the level of Emergency Medical Technician. C. To ensure that all EMS personnel are trained, certified and current in all continuing education requirements pursuant to standards set by THE COUNTY, and other licensing/certification boards as may be appropriate. Evidence of certification required by NCGS 131 E-159 shall be provided to THE COUNTY. THE SQUAD shall ensure that these records are kept current. D. To purchase items used by THE SQUAD for the provision of special event medical coverage in accordance with Orange County purchasing policies and procedures, and to maintain records of these purchases for periodic review by THE COUNTY. E. To maintain legal personnel documentation, including an appropriate record of times worked by volunteer personnel, and to make these personnel records available to THE COUNTY as needed, with appropriate prior notice. F. To ensure that at all times when on duty, THE SQUAD's EMS personnel are attired in a uniform approved by THE COUNTY. G. To perform checkouts of each EMS unit, all supplies and equipment at the beginning of each special event, and report any deficiencies to THE COUNTY in a manner approved by THE COUNTY. H. To properly maintain the vehicles provided by THE COUNTY in good working order and to notify THE COUNTY of any needed maintenance or repairs. THE SQUAD shall keep and maintain records of the operation and maintenance of the vehicles in accordance with N.C.G.S. 131 E-156. Copies of these records shall be furnished to THE COUNTY. THE SQUAD shall provide and maintain evidence of a current Ambulance Provider's License, issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. 131E-155.1, to THE COUNTY. J. THE SQUAD shall make space available for county staff in the Squad's Buildings and bay space to park the ambulances and / or other EMS vehicles as agreed on by THE SQUAD and THE COUNTY. K. THE SQUAD understands and agrees that the financial officer or designee of THE COUNTY shall have the right to inspect, upon reasonable notice, all books and records of THE SQUAD, and that with reasonable prior notice, THE COUNTY will be given full and complete access to these records. L. To ensure that THE SQUAD'S personnel conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times and consistent with the conduct expectations of the Orange County Personnel Ordinance and specifically comply with the policies of THE SQUAD on file with THE COUNTY which address harassment, discrimination, personal conduct, drug free work place, and employment of relatives. M. To identify an individual person as the point of contact for general EMS operational or policy communications with THE COUNTY. COUNTY RESPONSIBILITIES A. To provide ambulances and other vehicles to support the staffing requirements for special events of THE SQUAD. However, any ambulances provided by THE COUNTY are and shall remain the property of THE COUNTY and upon termination of this agreement are to be returned to THE COUNTY in good working condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted. Additionally to provide equipment and or vehicles to THE SQUAD for non-traditional EMS purposes in support of its mission. B. To approve a standard uniform for THE SQUAD personnel providing services pursuant to this Agreement. C. To provide necessary supplies, equipment, fuel, and other medical essentials for units to allow THE SQUAD to staff additional ambulances during crises and disasters. D. To provide for the preventive maintenance and repair of all county vehicles used by THE SQUAD to provide services pursuant to this Agreement. This includes all vehicles used to provide services under this Agreement owned by THE COUNTY. E. To retain full authority and responsibility for the care and treatment of all patients that use the EMS system, including those treated as part of special event coverage, and to ensure that appropriate medical supervision is provided to THE SQUAD. THE COUNTY will continue to allow members of THE SQUAD, certified under the ALS program of THE COUNTY, to provide service at the EMT-B, EMT- D, and EMT-Paramedic Level with continuing education, medical protocols, medical direction, and oversight provided by THE COUNTY. F. THE COUNTY'S medical director will provide medical care direction and medical control to THE SQUAD. G. THE COUNTY'S medical director will review and approve and THE COUNTY will provide training and continuing education that will assure the maintenance of all EMS certifications of the personnel of THE SQUAD. H. To provide required health and safety programs including immunization, medical evaluation, training, and post exposure management for the personnel of THE SQUAD providing services pursuant to this Agreement. I. To provide oversight of THE SQUAD's personnel during all activities related to the provision of emergency medical services under this contract, pursuant to NCGS 143-508 and NC administrative rule, title 10, Chapter 3, subchapter 3D, section 2600. J. To furnish to THE SQUAD a monthly cash stipend of $4,588, in addition to - the in-kind goods and services with an estimated annual equivalent value of $42,500. In-kind goods and services includes, but is not limited to, the provision of ambulance vehicles and medical equipment for the use of the SQUAD at 4 special events, the provision of medical direction and medical control services for personnel of THE SQUAD who provide EMS services, the provision of infection control and exposure management services for personnel of THE SQUAD, and the provision of training, education, and quality assurance for personnel of THE SQUAD. The cash stipend will be will be paid to THE SQUAD by the 10th day of each month. K. To furnish to THE SQUAD reimbursement of the approved costs for special event coverage requested by THE COUNTY within two weeks of receipt by THE COUNTY from THE SQUAD of appropriate special event coverage report forms. L. To identify an individual person as the point of contact for general EMS operational, administrative, and policy communication with THE SQUAD. III. INSURANCE THE SQUAD will be responsible for the negligence of its personnel and agents. Further, THE COUNTY shall define the amount and levels of insurance which THE SQUAD shall maintain for the activities performed pursuant to this Agreement as well as the buildings and equipment used to provide services under this Agreement. Any policies of insurance purchased directly by THE SQUAD shall be through an insurance company acceptable to THE COUNTY. The coverage amount of the insurance maintained by THE SQUAD will be consistent with the requirements of the Orange County Ambulance Franchise Ordinance. IV. CONFIDENTIALITY THE SQUAD and THE COUNTY agree to work jointly to protect the various confidential medical information that is obtained and used in the provision of Emergency Medical Services, in compliance with local, state, and federal confidentiality provisions. Nothing in this agreement shall be construed to prevent THE SQUAD and THE COUNTY from entering into another agreements to specify the exact requirements and procedures to be used to protect the confidentiality of patients. V. TERM This agreement shall run from July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2004 and shall be reviewed by January 30, 2004, for consideration of renewal. VI. TERMINATION The Agreement or its renewal may be terminated at any time without penalty by either party provided that written notice of such termination is furnished to the other party at least 60 days prior to termination. In the event of such termination any payment due shall be prorated to the date of termination. VII. MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING THE SQUAD and THE COUNTY understand and agree that nothing in this agreement shall be construed to create an exclusive arrangement between the parties, and THE COUNTY is free to provide services by other means. VIII. ENTIRE UNDERSTANDING The Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties and shall not be altered, amended or modified, except by an agreement in writing executed by the authorized representative of both parties. IX. SITUS The laws of North Carolina shall govern the validity and interpretation of the provisions, terms and conditions of this agreement. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have hereunto signed this Agreement in their official capacities of the day and year listed below. FOR AND ON BEHALF OF: ORANGE EMS AND RESCUE SQUAD, INC. DATE: BILL WADDELL CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR AND ON BEHALF OF: ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA DATE: MARGARET BROWN CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ATTEST: DONNA BAKER CLERK TO THE BOARD