Laserfiche WebLink
<br />2007, the department staffed three 24-hour, dual-role ambulances and one or two peak period, single- <br />role ambulances that collectively responded to almost 16,976 medical calls for service. In addition, the <br />firefighter/paramedics assigned to dual-role ambulances also respond as firefighters to fires, rescues and <br />hazardous materials calls for service. <br /> <br />Staff believes the problems associated with both the financial and capacity deficits will continue to <br />become more problematic as our community’s population ages, and Sacred Heart Hospital moves to the <br />new River Bend campus in Springfield on August 10, 2008. The aging population will increase the <br />proportion of Medicare and Medicaid patients. This shift in demographics will increase calls for service <br />while decreasing collections. Likewise, without a hospital located in our City, the hospital move will <br />conservatively add an average of 20 minutes to each patient transport delivered to that facility. <br /> <br /> <br />RELATED CITY POLICIES <br />City Code 2.604, Fire and Ambulance Services <br />City Code 2.606, Ambulance Service (significantly amended on 5/13/04 to allow subcontracting) <br />City Code 2.608, Ambulance Services – Fees <br />City Code 3.862, First Aid and Medical Transport Vehicles – Responsibilities of Owner <br /> <br /> <br />COUNCIL OPTIONS <br /> <br />In considering potential options for addressing the revenue and capacity deficiencies, staff feels it is <br />important to answer four policy questions to guide the discussion. <br /> <br />Policy Questions: <br /> <br />1.Is ambulance transport considered a core City service? <br /> <br />2.Who should provide ambulance transport services to our community? <br /> <br />-Fire & EMS Department <br />rd <br /> <br />-3 City Service <br />rd <br /> <br />-Public/Private partnership (City emergency and 3 party non-emergency) <br />rd <br /> <br />-All patient transport provided by a 3 party <br /> <br />3.What level of pre-hospital care should be provided by the Fire & EMS Department for our <br />community? <br /> <br />-First Response <br /> <br />-Emergency Transport only <br /> <br />-Full Service (First Response & Emergent & Non-emergent Transport) <br /> <br />4.How should ambulance transport services be funded? <br /> <br />Potential Short-Term Solutions: <br />? <br /> <br />Increase Ambulance Transport Fees – Increases some revenue by charging more to those who <br />can afford to pay. Poses a greater impact on low-income community members. <br />? <br /> <br />Short-Term General Fund subsidy – Shifts some or all of the costs from fees for service to the <br />General Fund. <br />? <br /> <br />Continue congressional lobbying efforts. <br />? <br /> <br />Implement tiered transport fee system – Would increase revenue in unincorporated areas of the <br />Ambulance Service Area to help offset any General Fund subsidy. <br /> <br /> F:\CMO\2008 Council Agendas\M080213\S080213A.doc <br /> <br />