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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 03-21-2000-8f1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: March 21, 2000 Action Agenda Item No. _ g-~ SUBJECT: Renewal of Orange EMS and Rescue Squad Contract -Ambulance Transport Service DEPARTMENT: Emergency Management PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Contract Nick Waters, ext 3030 TELEPHONE NUMBERS; Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 9fi8-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 33fi-227-2031 PURPOSE: To consider renewing the contract with Orange EMS & Rescue Squad, Inc. to provide ambulance transportation for the County's Emergency Medical Services program through June 30, 2001. BACKGROUND: Beginning in October 1996, the County changed its method of delivering emergency medical services (EMS). Since that time, the ambulance transportation component of EMS has been provided under terms of a contract between the County and South Orange Rescue Squad. The contract has been renewed each year since and the Rescue Squad has provided personnel far the transport component of EMS. Since South Orange merged in 1999 with the Orange County Rescue Squad, the resulting organization (now known as Orange EMS and Rescue Squad, Inc.) has been working through various organizational issues. The 1999-00 contract was extended three times from July 1999 through March 2000. County staff feels that the Squad has now adequately addressed these issues and believes that the Squad is in a position to continue to provide a satisfactory level of ambulance transport service far the foreseeable future. The proposed contract would cover service for the remainder of the current fiscal year, and through the fiscal year that ends on June 30, 2001 FINANCIAL IMPACT: The terms of the contract include the County's providing an annual stipend of $482,$30 (four hundred eighty two thousand eight hundred thirty dollars) to reimburse the Squad for legitimate expenses incurred in providing the ambulance transport component of the County's EMS program. That amount is included in the departmental budget for 1999-2000 and has been requested in the budget for FY 200D-01. There is no increase over the current year proposed for FY 2000-01. 2 RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the contract with the Rescue Squad, 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 the 21 ~` day of March , 2000 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.GG.S.153A-250(b), wishes to have a private non-profit organization provide the transportation component and special events services as part of its emergency medical system using personnel other than County Staff and to compensate said agency for those services; and WHEREAS, THE SQUAD desires to provide this service 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 that has the right and authority to conduct 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 staffing of ambulances 24 hours per day, 7 days per week at staffing levels established by agreement of the parties provided, however, that in no event shall THE SQUAD permit the staffing of ambulances used to provide services under this agreement by individuals certified below the level of Emergency Medical Technician. C. To ensure that all 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 N.C.G.S. 131E-159 shall be provided to THE COUNTY. THE SQUAD shall ensure that these records are kept current. 4 D. To purchase items used by THE SQUAD for the provision of emergency medical services 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 for paid and 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 personnel aze attired in a uniform approved by THE COUNTY. G. To perform daily checkouts of each unit, all supplies and equipment at the beginning of each shift, and report any deficiencies to THE COUNTY in a manner approved by THE COUNTY. THE SQUAD shall not allow the supplies and equipment on each unit to fall below the standards established by the North Cazolina Medical Care Commission. H. To properly maintain the vehicles provided by THE COUNTY in good working order and notify Emergency Management 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. 131E- 156. Copies of these records shall be furnished to THE .COUNTY. Further, it shall be the responsibility of THE SQUAD to notify Emergency Management. when to obtain or renew both the ambulance permit required by N.C.G.S. 131E-156 and the safety inspection required by N.C.G.S. 20-183. I. THE SQUAD shall provide and maintain evidence of a current Ambulance Providers License, issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. 131E-155.1, to THE COUNTY. J. To submit a regular monthly expense report including salary, maintenance, supplies, fuel, and other associated operational costs to 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 will be given full and complete access. L. Ta 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 hazassrnent, discrimination, personal conduct, drug free work place and employment of relatives. II. COUNTY RESPONSIBILITIES A. To provide ambulance vehicles of sufficient number to support the staffing levels required of THE SQUAD. However, any ambulances provided by THE COUNTY aze 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. B. To approve a standard uniform for SQUAD personnel providing services pursuant to this Agreement. C. To provide necessary supplies, equipment, fuel, and other medical essentials for the stocking of staffed units to the level specified by THE COUNTY, and to provide a method of re-stocking units after each use. D. To provide for the preventive maintenance and repair of the ambulance vehicles used by THE SQUAD to provide services pursuant to this Agreement. This includes all vehicles used to provide services under this Agreement, whether owned by THE COUNTY or by THE SQUAD. E. To retain full authority and responsibility for the care and treatment of all patients that use the EMS system; and to ensure that appropriate medical supervision is provided to THE SQUAD. F. THE COUNTY' S medical director will provide medical care direction and medical control to THE SQUAD. G. 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. H. To establish training and continuing education offerings on a schedule that will assure adequate opportunity for maintenance of all EMS personnel certifications and which is approved by the Medical Director. I. To provide operational management of THE SQUAD's personnel during all activities related to the provision of emergency medical services under this contract. J. To furnish to THE SQUAD an annual cash stipend of $ 483,230.00 to provide the transportation component of emergency medical services under this agreement. This cash stipend will be based on approved actual costs incurred by THE SQUAD for the provision of emergency medical services in the previous year and will be paid to THE SQUAD in equal monthly installments by the 10~' day of each month. III. INSURANCE A. 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. It shall be at THE COUNTY'S option to either provide the coverage through a policy purchased by THE COUNTY or to reimburse THE SQUAD for insurance policies purchased by them. Any policies of insurance purchased directly by THE SQUAD shall be through an insurance company acceptable to THE COUNTY. IV. TERM A. This agreement shall run from March 21, 2000 through June 30, 2001, and shall be renewable thereafter upon written agreements executed by both pay-ties. 6 V. TERMINATION A. 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. VI. MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING A. 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. VII. ENTIRE UNDERSTANDING A. 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. VIII. SITUS A. 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: SANDOR BALOGH CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR AND ON BEHALF OF: ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA DATE: MOSES CAREY CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ATTEST: BEVERLY A. BLYTHE CLERK TO THE BOARD