Report Prepared by: Derek Parker, Fire Chief, Fire Department
Title
SUBJECT: Fire Department First Responder Fee Information Session
REPORT IN BRIEF
Presentation of the feasibility report from EMS Consultant AP Triton who researched a First Responder Fee. Similar First Responder Fees are utilized to support EMS operations in fire departments across California.
RECOMMENDATION
Tax Transparency Commission - Adopt a motion to accept this presentation as information only.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Deny; or,
3. Continue to a future meeting (date and time to be specified in the motion).
DISCUSSION
With the uncertainty of Measure C, the Fire Department is balancing the need for increasing the service to the public in the face of a deteriorating EMS system versus the financial impacts of standing up a new service. The Fire Department was given the charge to increase the public's safety considering the uncertainty of EMS transport response times. The self-sustainability of a program outside of Measure C would have to be established. By utilizing a FRF, which is already administered but correcting the flaws in its administration, MFD can repurpose the new revenue for new equipment, incentives for personnel, and response to new incident types which will improve patient outcomes.
On November 8, 2022, Commissioner Harris requested for the Fire Department to give a presentation on the "First Responder ALS funding" measures. Merced Fire Department (MFD) has proposed a change in business practice to how the current First Responder Fee is administered. For clarity, MFD is not proposing a "First Responder ALS Fee" as MFD does not operate (Advanced Life Support) ALS personnel on a regular basis. A First Responder Fee (FRF) is being administered by the local ambulance contractor and has been for many years. The FRF is identified as part of the Merced County EMS Agency Request for Proposal (RFP) as section 4.18. The current RFP was awa...
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