HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/14/2009 00 Agenda and Packet - Firefighter/Paramedic Issue David Edler, Mayor
Micah Cawley, Assistant Mayor
Yakima Kathy Coffey
City Council Rick Ensey Bill Lover •
" " ";;, °R _„g= Agenda Neil McClure
129 N. 2nd Street,Yakima,WA.98901 Sonia Rodriguez
Phone: (509) 575 -6000 • Fax (509) 576 -6614 City Manager
Email: ccouncil @ci.yakima.wa.us • www.ci.yakima.wa.us Richard A. Zais, Jr.
Anyone wishing to address the Council, please fill out the form found on the tables and give it to the City Clerk
YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING — COUNCIL FORUM
APRIL 14, 2009 — 7:00 — 8:00 A.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS — YAKIMA CITY HALL
1. Roll Call
2. Council forum regarding Firefighter /Paramedic Issue
4. Adjournment
Yakima
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City of Yakima Vision Statement: To create a culturally diverse, economically vibrant, safe, and strong Yakima community. l I I I I
Adopted March 2008 1994
BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 9
For Meeting Of April 7, 2009
ITEM TITLE: Consideration of Firefighter /Paramedic Issue
SUBMITTED BY: Dick Zais, City Manager
Charlie Hines, Fire Chief
CONTACT PERSON/TELEPHONE: Dick Zais, 575 -6040
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
Please see attached information.
' Resolution Ordinance Other (Specify)
Contract Mail to (name and address):
Phone:
Funding Source
APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL: �--� S� City Manager
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: This is a council policy issue.
BOARD /COMMISSION /COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
COUNCIL ACTION:
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OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
129 North Second Street
V'j : ' CITY HALL, Yakima, Washington 98901
�' °� ' F ' s Phone (509) 575 -6040
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MEMORANDUM
March 27, 2009
TO: The Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Dick Zais, City Manager
RE: EMS Paramedic Issue
In the aftermath of the failure of the EMS levy a number of concerns have arisen from Council
members, the media and the public regarding the status of the paramedic issue within the fire
department. In particular, there have been concerns raised about the direction given to the staff
and approvals sought this past year with respect to the department's preparations for the
submittal and potential passage of the EMS levy by the voters as well as a threshold question on
whether or not there should be any form of paramedic assistance in the Fire Department in the
future, within existing resources.
We have researched the minutes of all of the Council Public Safety Committee meetings and
Council Study Sessions on this issue. The meetings that were held provided background from the
Chief and the Department on the issue. Many, updates were also provided by the Chief during
the course of the year on this subject. However, there was not an explicit, formal motion from
either the Public Safety Committee members or the Council itself which gave authorization and
direction to the department or Chief to proceed with the approval and licensing process to enable
the paramedic program to proceed should the levy be passed by the voters. What did occur in
these meetings was a presentation from Chief Hines on the proposal and what it would take from
other emergency agencies to prepare for such a program, together with a message from him that
he would go forward with this process to be ready for the potential passage of the levy. In the
absence of any formal direction, Chief Hines felt the Council Public Safety Committee and
Council members overall were ok with him at least proceeding with the licensing /approval
process, and took the initiative and acted in good faith to secure the needed Emergency Agency
approvals and license to be able to start the program if the levy should pass.
I supported the Chief in his efforts noted above to prepare for the passage of the levy. However,
in hindsight, given the concerns and questions that have emerged, it is also clear to me that we
should have asked the Council for more formal direction on the process that was pursued by
Chief Hines to secure the approvals and licenses from the respective emergency agencies that
govern a paramedic program.
Since the levy failure, and media coverage, together with communications from Council
members, the Chief has endeavored to clarify and address this issue in several memo's to the
Council. Clearly the rejection of the levy has eliminated the funds for both the start-up of the
paramedic program and the resources to hire additional personnel for the department. However,
there are lingering questions about this issue for the future which need clear policy direction
from the Council. This is the purpose of the EMS discussion at the City Council meeting on
April 7, 2009 and for which the attached information packet has been prepared for your review,
and policy direction.
Yakima
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Administration
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Fire & Life Safety �a 4 City of Yakima Fire Department (509)575 -6060
Division -> WA 98901 Fax (509)576 -6356
Investigation - 401 North Front Street, Yakima,
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Training -4\ ( ) (Investigation) Phone 509 575 -6140 www. yakimafire. corn
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Communications 4j1P>FDEQS.
Date: March 30, 2009
To: Honorable Mayor, Members of City Council
Cc: Dick Zais, City Manager
From: Charlie L. Hines, Fire Chief
Subject: MAXIMIZING YFD RESOURCES FOR EMS
The result of the February 3, election made clear that a sufficient majority of the voters
participating in that election did not support an increase the EMS levy to hire 12 firefighters and
provide that up to 18 department firefighters also be trained as certified paramedics. Though
much can be said about what led to the outcome of the election, given the result, the concerns
which prompted the City Council to place the EMS measure on the ballot remain unabated.
With respect to the central and most costly aspect associated with the levy proposal, that being
adequate coverage through the hiring of 13 FTEs (12 firefighters and 1 dispatcher), the outcome
of the election effectively eliminates additional EMS funding as a means by which the City could
address the problem. As an agency tasked in large part with providing emergency medical
services to members of our community who are in medical distress it is appropriate now to assess
and consider options.
Without significant additional funding to the department, addressing the coverage issue is not
possible. However on a very small scale, conditions are such that there exists an opportunity
with respect to the enhancement of emergency pre - hospital care to community members in need
of such services. In considering this opportunity the benefits must be weighed against any costs,
even if nominal.
As you are aware, two Firefighters are also certified Paramedics. This presents us an excellent
opportunity to maximize our resources. In addition, this will ensure that a Paramedic gets to the
patient faster, regardless if they arrive by private ambulance, or fire engine. This is critical to the
survivability of those citizens who are in acute medical distress.
From a cost - standpoint, this proposal would be very cost effective; in fact all costs anticipated
with this proposal can be easily absorbed within the current EMS budget.
•
One Time Start-up Costs -
• Monitor/Defibrillator, charger, extra battery, carrying case .$20,000*
• Equipment/Meds $5;000*
• Miscellaneous (double lock safe, storage unit etc.) ...$5,000
Annual Costs for Two Firefighter /Paramedics
• Replenish equipment/meds $3,000
• Skill pay (negotiated) per yr. x 2 ** ...$5,000- $7,200
* Medical Salesperson just called me this morning stating that their original quote was too high.
They will be sending a revised quote (seems like they are anxious to make a deal).
** This proposal is to allow our two certified Firefighter/Paramedics to administer their life-
saving skills on our citizens. There are currently no Firefighter openings in the YFD. Typically,
one or two Firefighters retire per year. A recent survey indicated that no one is planning on
retiring in `09 or '10. There are not sufficient funds currently in the budget to hire any additional
personnel. Consequently, YFD is unable to send any Firefighters to Paramedic school.
Each Firefighter /Paramedic will be assigned to an engine company on a different shift. They will
share the same Paramedic equipment (similar to the way they share air packs, hose, axes etc.).
All projected costs with this proposal can be absorbed within the current EMS budget. As you
recall, EMS funds are restricted to EMS services, and as such are separate and apart from the
city's general fund.
The public benefit of utilizing the advanced life - saving skills of the two Firefighter /Paramedics
on staff will be apparent at each incident to which one of these employees responds where these
skills are required, particularly at events where the YFD engine is the first to arrive or multiple
casualties exist.
This will significantly improve the chances of survival of those residents to whom a YFD
Firefighter/Paramedic responds.
This is an example of increasing efficiency and delivering better results to the customer (tax
payers) without increasing taxes.
•
With all other approvals obtained, and the question of funding from additional EMS levy
revenues decided, the only issue to decide is the use of the two Firefighter/Paramedics, and
within that issue there are but two alternatives:
1. Utilize and maximize all available resources by allowing our two Paramedic
certified Firefighters to administer their life- saving skills on our citizens. This will
significantly improve the chances of survival of those residents to whom a YFD
Firefighter/Paramedic responds.
OR
2. Require that the two certified Firefighter/Paramedics on staff refrain from
administering life- saving paramedic skills to patients during critical emergencies
and instead, wait for the ambulance to arrive.
As a 33 year Fire Service professional (13 as a Paramedic) and your Fire Chief, I have a moral
and ethical obligation to take advantage of all resources available to the department in providing
the greatest possible benefit in terms of service to the public. I strongly recommend
implementing the first alternative.
I will continue to evaluate and explore alternatives that will maximize and enhance our ability to
efficiently serve the public. We are anxiously awaiting clarification and direction from the
council on this important matter.