Title
Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute an Agreement for the Purchase of One Horton F-550 Type I Ambulance and Related Equipment in an Amount Not to Exceed $391,464.51. (Fire 3210)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The adopted Fiscal Year (FY) 2019-20 Budget includes an appropriation for the purchase of one new ambulance (Medic 3). The City of Alameda (City) Fire Department (AFD) recommends purchasing a Horton F-550 Type I Ambulance in an amount not to exceed $391,464.51.
BACKGROUND
On June 18, 2019, the City Council adopted the FY 2019-20 and 2020-21 Budget, which included an appropriation of $400,000 for the purchase of one new ambulance during FY 2019-20. The approved FY 2019-20 and FY 2020-21 AFD budget also included six (6) new grant funded positions (three (3) Fire Fighter (FF)/Emergency Medical Technician's (EMT) and three (3) FF/Paramedics) to staff the new Medic 3 ambulance unit at the Advanced Life Support level.
DISCUSSION
AFD has not added transport capacity since 1993 and the growth in transports has increased over 2000% approaching 5,000 per year. In addition, AFD ambulances no longer transports the majority of patients to Alameda Hospital due to changes in the EMS System and healthcare reimbursement. Over the last 5 years, only 50-53% of patients are transported to Alameda Hospital with a greater amount to off-island hospitals such as Highland, Kaiser in San Leandro, etc. The Alameda County (County) EMS Agency implemented a new contract countywide, effective July 1, 2019, which specifies that all mentally unstable (code 51/50) patients in their respective cities, per AB 201, such as the City, are responsible for their treatment and transport of these patients. Previously, the County's contracted ambulance provider was responsible for the transportation of 51/50 patients in the City. Over a 3-year average, the Alameda Police Department annually places 500 re...
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