Report Prepared by: Janet German, Management Analyst, Fire Dept.
Title
SUBJECT: Approval of a Services Agreement with University Pediatric Center to Provide Medical Direction and Oversight for Emergency Medical Services in an Amount not to Exceed $72,234 for a Three-Year Term
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving a Services Agreement with University Pediatric Center to provide medical direction and oversight for Emergency Medical Services in an amount not to exceed $72,234 for a three-year term.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Approving a Professional Services Agreement with University Pediatric Center in an amount not to exceed $72,234, for the purpose of providing medical direction and oversight for Emergency Medical Services for a three-year term; and,
B. Authorizing the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to conditions other than as recommended by staff; or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items; or,
5. Continue to a future City Council meeting.
AUTHORITY
California Health and Safety Code (HSC), Division 2.5, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) [1797 - 1799.207]
California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 22: Social Security, Division 9: Prehospital Emergency Medical Services
California Emergency Medical Services Authority (CEMSA)
Merced County Emergency Medical Services Agency (MCEMSA)
MMC 3.04.110 - Exemption from Soliciting bids and Notice Inviting Bids
The Merced Municipal Code 3.04.110 provides that contracts involving the obtaining of professional or specialized services such as but not limited to, services rendered by architects, attorneys, engineers, and other specialized consultants are exempt from being awarded after a solicitation of bids and a published Notice Inviting Bids.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Public Safety as provided for in the 2024-25 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) systems are regulated and governed by: HSC, Division 2.5, [1797 - 1799.207]; California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 22: Social Security, Division 9: Prehospital Emergency Medical Services; California Emergency Medical Services Authority (CEMSA); and the Merced County Emergency Medical Services Agency (MCEMSA). To meet the regulations and requirements established by these governing bodies to deliver Basic Life Support (BLS) emergency medical services to our community, the MFD is required to maintain the services of a licensed physician, often referred to as a “Medical Director”.
In previous years, the MFD acquired those services through one-year contracts with medical doctors with practices outside of the City of Merced. This year, staff is recommending entering a three-year contract with a local medical physician, Sima Asadi, MD, who operates the University Pediatric Center in the City of Merced.
Staff is proposing to enter into a professional services agreement with the University Pediatric Center in order to utilize the services of a specialized consultant. Dr. Asadi’s vast professional experience is noteworthy. Dr. Asadi possesses over 25 years of medical experience and is well known physician in Merced County as a leader in community health. Additionally, she has served as the interim Merced County Health Officer until a permanent recruit was hired; developed a close relationship with County Public Health during the pandemic; her medical practice became the first in the county to begin testing for COVID-19 and administering vaccinations; Chair of Pediatrics at Mercy Medical Center Merced; Medical Director of the Merced Satellite NICU, operated by Valley Children’s Hospital, and is Chief of Staff at Mercy Medical Center Merced; she was recognized as the California Woman of the Year for Assembly District 2; has an extensive background in pre-hospital emergency medical service systems, and has an excellent working relationship with the Fire Department. Given Dr. Asadi’s depth of experience she is extremely knowledgeable with the regulations required by the governing authorities to remain in compliance to provide EMS in the City of Merced.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
No appropriation of funds is needed. Funding is available within the FY2024-2025 approved budget.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Professional Services Agreement