Report Prepared by: Jacob Struble, Lieutenant Police Department
Title
SUBJECT: Approval of Updated Memorandum of Understanding Between Riggs Ambulance Service and the City of Merced to Provide Tactically Trained Paramedics and/or Emergency Medical Technicians to Respond with the Police Department’s Special Operations Unit
REPORT IN BRIEF
Approve an updated Memorandum of Understanding between Riggs Ambulance Service and the City of Merced for Riggs Ambulance Service to provide tactical medics to the Police Department.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion approving a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Merced and Riggs Ambulance Service to provide tactical emergency paramedic services to the Police Department; and, authorizing the City Manager or the Assistant City Manager to execute the necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve as recommended by staff; or,
2. Deny the request; or,
3. Recommend and/or modify staff recommendation
AUTHORITY
Section 200 et seq. of the Merced City Charter
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
"As provided for in the 2018-19 Adopted Budget"
DISCUSSION
The Merced Police Department has a Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) that responds to critical and violent situations. While the SWAT Team is highly trained to manage and control these situations, there are those cases where injury could result that requires medical attention. Several studies have been conducted that confirm that the sooner medical aid is provided to injured persons, the likelihood of survival is greatly enhanced.
Currently the City of Merced and Riggs Ambulance Service has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in place. The MOU was signed in 2003 by Riggs Ambulance Service and City of Merced employees that no longer are employed by either entity. A new MOU is needed in order to stay up to date.
The current MOU has worked out well for both organizations. There was one small change to the new MOU compared to the current MOU. The current MOU states “Riggs agrees to provide tactically trained Paramedics to be integrated into and respond with the Police Department’s special operations units.” The new MOU added Emergency Medical Technicians into the language. It now states “Riggs agrees to provide tactically trained Paramedics and/or Emergency Medical technicians to be integrated into and respond with the Police Department’s special operations units.” The addition of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s) to the MOU allows for Riggs Ambulance Service to use tactically trained EMT’s as well as Paramedics.
The MOU was submitted to the City Attorney for review. Merced City Attorney Norton reviewed and approved the MOU.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
No appropriation of funds is needed.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Memorandum of Understanding