EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ALS FIRST RESPONDER GROWTH MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - 20192019
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
ALS FIRST RESPONDER
GROWTH MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
CITY OF CLEARWATER
PINELLAS COUNTY
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES AUTHORITY
12490 Ulmerton Road
Largo, FL 33774
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EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES.
ALS FIRST RESPONDER
GRD►f{i'TH MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made this day of , 2019, between.the.CITY OF
CLEARWATER, a Florida municipal corporation ("Contractor")and the PIN ELLAS
CCLINTY:EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES AUTHORITY, a special district
("Authority'
RECITALS
1. The Authority isa. special district created for the purpose of providing Emergency
Medical Services ("EMS",) throughout Pinellas.County("County") pursuant to
Chapter 80-585, Laws of Florida and Chapter 54, Article ill, Pinellas County
Code, as amended rThe Acts").
2. The.Authority has contracted with various municipalities and indeperndent`special
fire districts in the County to provitle First Responder Services.and has also
contracted with an Ambulance Contractor to provide ALS emergency and.non-
emergency transport services (collectively referred to as "Provider Agencies".),
3. The Authority has entered into an..agreement with Contractor-to.provide First
Responder Services (the "ALS Agreement"Y
4. Contractor and Authority agreed in Section 402 of the ALS Agreement to work
collaboratively to expand the use of Priority Dispatch Protocols to reduce
responses to certain non-life threatening EMS Incidents, and further agreed that
.the expansion Of the use of Priority Dispatch Protocols would.be dependent on
the Authority revising their level of service resolution to adopt Contractor's
current ALS deployment as the minimum foundation necessary to maintain
current.services levels within the Contractor's EMS District in accordance with
Section 4030f the ALS Agreement.
5. The Authority and certain Provider Agencies desire to collaborate to manage the
growth of EMS Incidents.through a multifaceted and cooperative effort to
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prioritize availability of ALS First Responder Units for life threatening
emergencies, potentially life-threatening emergencies and fire suppression by
reducing the EMS workload of ALS First Responder Units to non -life threatening
EMS Incidents.
6. The preparedness model for emergency medical services statically deploys units
and resources geographically to meet specified travel time performance and
historical demand workload by zone and provides coverage at all times
irrespective of demand migrations.
7 The demand model for emergency medical services deploys units dynamically to
migrate toward areas and times of increased demand and coverage varies by
demand.
8. The Authority hereby recognizes the preparedness model for ALS First
Responder coverage throughout the County and agrees to maintain the current
level of service and funding for the current Authority Funded ALS First
Responder Units for Provider Agencies that participate in growth management
strategies.
9. The Authority and Contractor desire to work collaboratively to develop,
implement, and monitor the phased implementation of growth management
strategies.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants, terms and conditions
herein set forth to be kept and performed by and between the parties hereto, it is agreed
as follows:
ARTICLE I
THE AGREEMENT
SECTION 101. RECITALS AND PURPOSE.
The foregoing recitals are hereby incorporated and made part of this Agreement. The
purpose of this Agreement is to define the obligations and responsibilities of the parties
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hereto to enable the cooperative provision of ALS First Responder Services following
the growth management strategies outlined herein.
SECTION 102. COOPERATION.
The parties shall cooperate and use all reasonable efforts, pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement, to facilitate the terms of this Agreement.
SECTION 103. CONTRACT DOCUMENTS.
The following Appendix is attached to and made part of this Agreement:
Appendix A. Foundational Units Resolution
ARTICLE II
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 201. WORDS AND TERMS. Terms used but not defined in this Agreement
shall have the same meaning as those terms in the Emergency Medical Services ALS
First Responder Agreement between the Authority and Contractors.
Unless the context otherwise requires, capitalized terms used herein shall have the
following meanings ascribed to them:
"Growth Management Plan" is the sum of all efforts to manage the growth of EMS
demand by prioritizing the availability of ALS First Responder Units for response to life-
threatening medical emergencies, potentially life-threatening medical emergencies, fire
suppression and other hazardous emergencies, through the response of Ambulances
only to non -life-threatening or routine Patient transportation requests for service. Efforts
may include other growth management initiatives to reduce the demand for EMS
services through public education, community outreach, pathway management and
alternate response configurations for segments of Patients not experiencing life
threatening or potentially life-threatening emergencies.
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ARTICLE III
GROWTH MANAGEMENT
SECTION 301. PRIORITY DISPATCH PROTOCOLS. Contractor shall respond to
EMS Incidents in accordance with the then current Priority Dispatch Protocols.
Contractor shall cooperate with the Authority in implementing periodic enhancements
and improvements to the Priority Dispatch Protocols through collaboration and mutual
consent.
SECTION 302. GROWTH MANAGEMENT PLAN. Contractor and Authority agree to
expand the use of Priority Dispatch Protocols to actively implement growth management
strategies to reduce the EMS workload of ALS First Responder responses to certain
non -life-threatening EMS Incidents and partner on other growth management initiatives.
The Authority and Contractor will work collaboratively to expand and enhance public
education programs and EMS Incident reduction programs. The Authority and
Contractor will reduce response for ALS First Responder Units for emergency medical
dispatch codes 17A00, 17A01, 17A02, 17A03 and 26A. Upon mutual consent by the
Authority and Contractor, additional emergency medical codes may be considered for
addition to the Growth Management Plan. For instances in which an Ambulance is
predicted at time of dispatch to exceed a twenty (20) minute response time to an
Ambulance only response, an ALS First Responder Unit will be dispatched immediately.
The time interval to automatically dispatch an ALS First Responder Unit may be
modified by a Medical Operations Manual protocol or medical control directive upon
mutual consent with Contractor. ALS First Responder Units will be immediately
requested by Ambulance personnel for situations in which a life-threatening or
potentially life-threatening Patient is encountered or assistance is needed to safely
move the Patient for transport. ALS First Responder Units will respond to assist when
requested.
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SECTION 303. COMPLIANCE WITH PRIORITY DISPATCH PROTOCOLS. The
Authority, through the Regional 9-1-1 Center, shall ensure that the compliance to the
Priority Dispatch Protocols is ninety-five percent (95.0%) or greater measured monthly
and reported on a rolling quarterly basis before each segment of the Growth
Management Plan (i.e. response determinant) is implemented and that protocol
compliance is maintained at ninety-five percent (95.0%) or greater for selecting the
correct determinant. The Authority, through the Regional 9-1-1 Center, shall ensure the
elapsed time from the verification of the address to the response determinant is sixty
(60) seconds or less for ninety percent (90.0%) or greater for EMS Incidents under the
Growth Management Plan, measured monthly and reported on a rolling quarterly basis.
If protocol compliance does not consistently meet the requirements, the Growth
Management Plan may be suspended, modified or restructured. The objective is to
minimize under triage and response.
SECTION 304. FUNDING. During the term of this Agreement, the Authority shall
maintain the funding for Authority Funded Units in accordance with the ALS Agreement,
and any amendments thereto, to ensure the level of response readiness and current
service levels are not reduced within the Contractor's EMS District in accordance with
Section 403 of the ALS Agreement.
SECTION 305. RESOLUTION. Within thirty (30) days of the execution of this
Agreement, the Authority will implement the Resolution attached as Appendix A,
documenting the current ALS First Responder Unit deployment model as the Authority's
authorized ALS First Responder Units necessary to maintain response readiness and
current service levels in each EMS District and countywide. Such deployment model is
termed the "foundational units" necessary to ensure current service levels.
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ARTICLE IV
INSURANCE AND INDEMNIFICATION
SECTION 401. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS. Contractor and Authority adopt and
incorporate herein the Minimum Insurance Requirements and Additional Insurance
Requirements of Artide VI of the Emergency Medical Services ALS First Responder
Agreement.
SECTION 402. LIABILITY. Contractor and Authority agree to be fully responsible for
their own acts of negligence or their respective agents' acts of negligence when acting
within the scope of their employment, and agree to be liable for any damages resulting
from said negligence. Nothing herein is intended to serve as a waiver of sovereign
immunity or the limits of liability contained in Section 768.28, Florida Statutes, by the
Contractor, County or Authority. Nothing herein shall be construed as consent by
Contractor or Authority to be sued by third parties in any manner rising out of this
Agreement. Contractor is not liable for the causes of action arising out of the negligence
of the Authority, its employees or agents, or arising out of the negligence of any persons
or entities contracted by, appointed by, or approved by the Authority to provide services
related to this Agreement (including but not limited to other Contractors, the Ambulance
Contractor, Medical Control Board and Medical Director). This Section 402 shall survive
expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement.
ARTICLE V
TERM AND TERMINATION
SECTION 501. TERM OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall be from the date of
execution and ending at midnight September 30, 2019, unless this Agreement is earlier
terminated as provided for herein in this Agreement. This Agreement may be extended
for three (3) additional one (1) year periods following the initial term through written
agreement of the parties.
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SECTION 502. TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE. This Agreement may be
terminated without cause by any party at any time, upon giving thirty (30) days written
notice to all parties in accordance with Section 604.
SECTION 503. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Agreement shall be effective upon execution
by the parties.
ARTICLE VI
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 601. CONTRACTOR IS INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR. The parties
agree that throughout the term of this Agreement, and during the performance of any
obligations hereunder, Contractor is an independent contractor in all respects and shall
not be the agent, servant, officer or employee of the Authority or the County.
SECTION 602. APPLICABLE LAWS. Florida Law shall govern the validity,
interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement.
SECTION 603. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in more than
one counterpart, each of which shall be deemed an original.
SECTION 604. NOTICES. All notices, consents, and agreements required or permitted
by this Agreement shall be in writing, and, as applicable, shall be transmitted by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested,'with notice deemed to be given
upon receipt, and shall be addressed as follows:
If to Authority:
Executive Director, Pinellas County EMS Authority
Pinellas County EMS & Fire Administration
12490 Ulmerton Road — Suite 134
Largo, Florida 33774
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If to Contractor:
City of Clearwater
ATTN: City Manager
112 S. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, Florida 33756
SECTION 605. NO WAIVER OF RIGHTS UNDER SPECIAL ACT. Authority and
Contractor have worked together in good faith to prioritize ALS First Responder Unit
availability for rapid response to life-threatening medical emergencies, potentially life-
threatening medical emergencies, fire suppression and other hazardous emergencies.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, it is the intent of
Contractor and Authority that any actions or determinations taken in order to reach the
agreement herein not be seen as a waiver of any rights either the Contractor, or the
Authority may have under the Special Act, previous litigation and orders and judgments
associated therewith.
[Signature Page to Follow]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto, by and through their undersigned
autho ` d f icers have caused this Agreement to be executed on ft 7 75/day of
2af 9.
ATTEST; PINELLAS COUNTY EMERGENCY
KEN BURKE, CLERK MEDICAL SERVICES AUTHORITY
By and through its Board of County
Commissioners
„
y.
do-pyty Aeric Chairman
APPROVED AS TO FORM
By:
Jason Ester
.. Sent&Assistant County Attorney
Countersigned. CITY OF CLEARWATER, FLORIDA
by: I� 9 -
Mayor City Manager
Approved as to form: Attest:
�
I
Assistant Ci ornery � ti City Clerk � �;
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APPENDIX A
FOUNDATIONAL UNITS RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION 19-
A RESOLUTION OF THE PINELLAS COUNTY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
AUTHORITY ESTABLISHING FOUNDATIONAL UNITS NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN THE
CURRENT LEVEL OF SERVICE FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL FIRST RESPONDERS.
WHEREAS, the Pinellas County Emergency Medical Services Authority ("Authority") has
established levels of service through service agreements with Municipalities and Fire Districts
for Advanced Life Support (ALS) First Responder Services;
WHEREAS, the current level of service is achieved through Authority funded ALS First
Responder Units (Authority funded) and augmented by units whose staffing is funded by
Municipalities and Fire Districts (Authority authorized and Contractor funded);
WHEREAS, the preparedness to respond to life threatening and potentially life-threatening
emergencies is based upon the specific Authority authorized and funded ALS First Responder
Units to meet geographic coverage and call density requirement by response zone has resulted
in the foundational units necessary for the EMS System to meet the current level of service;
WHEREAS, the implementation of growth management strategies to reduce responses of ALS
First Responder Units is necessary to manage the growth of additional resources that may be
necessary in the future, it does not eliminate the need for foundational units to ensure public
health and safety;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
1. The Authority establishes the current deployment of foundational ALS First Responder
Units are necessary to meet current EMS System demand and the current level of
service. The list ALS First Responder Units authorized and funded by the Authority is
shown as Exhibit "A".
2. This Resolution shall not inhibit or preclude the Authority from determining the need for
additional future resources or enhancements to the deployment plan for each EMS
District.
3. The Authority shall not eliminate authorization or funding for existing Authority funded
ALS First Responder Units, shown as Exhibit "A", which have a reduced number of
responses to EMS incidents due to the implementation of growth management
strategies.
4. Such funding is subject to the fiscal non -funding clause contained in the ALS First
Responder Agreements.
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Exhibit A
Foundational Units
ContractorAuthority
Funded Units
Contractor Funded
Units
Clearwater
Engine 44, Engine 45, Medic 45,
Rescue 46, Medic 47, Rescue 48,
Engine 49, Rescue 49, Engine 50,
Engine 51
Peak Medic 45
Engine 47
Engine 48
Dunedin
Engine 60, Engine 61, Engine 62
None
East Lake
Engine 56, Squad 57, Engine 58
None
Gulfport
Engine 17
Medic 17
Largo
Engine 38, Engine 39, Squad 39,
Engine 40, Medic 40, Engine 41,
Rescue 41, Rescue 42, Truck 42,
Engine 43
Squad 38
Medic 41
Lealman (including
Tierra Verde)
Engine 18, Rescue 18, Engine 19,
Rescue 19, Engine 21
Rescue 21
Madeira Beach
Truck 25
None
Oldsmar
Engine 54
Rescue 54
Palm Harbor
Engine 65, Squad 65, Engine 66,
Truck 67, Engine 68
None
Pinellas Park
Engine 16, Rescue 33, Truck 33,
Rescue 34, Squad 35
Engine 34,
Truck 35 or Engine 35
Pinellas Suncoast
Squad 26, Engine 27, Truck 28 (50%)
None
Safety Harbor
Engine 52, Truck 53
None
Seminole
Engine 29, Squad 29, Engine 30,
Engine 31, Engine 32
None
South Pasadena
Rescue 20
Engine 20 or Truck 20
St. Pete Beach
Medic 22, Rescue 23
Squad 22
St. Petersburg
Rescue 1, Medic 1 (12/7), Rescue 3,
Medic 3 (12/7), Rescue 4, Rescue 5,
Rescue 6, Rescue 7, Rescue 8,
Rescue 9, Rescue 10, Rescue 11,
Engine 2, Engine 12, Engine 13,
Engine 14
Engine 3, Engine 4,
Engine 5, Engine 6,
Engine 7, Engine 8,
Engine 9, Engine 10,
Engine 11
Tarpon Springs
Squad 69, Truck 70, Engine 71
None
Treasure Island
Engine 24
Rescue 24
As of February 22, 2019