DEPARTMENT: SAFD
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Charles N. Hood
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Extending Interlocal Agreements with UTHSCSA relating to EMS Medical Director, Medical Control and Training
SUMMARY:
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA) has provided the San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD) with EMT Basic and Paramedic training, EMS Medical Director services and EMS system oversight for the past 38 years and is the current service provider. The two current EMS Medical Control and Training Agreements with UTHSCSA were approved by City Council on August 18, 2011, by Ordinance #2011-08-18-0677. The agreements were for a two year period, which will terminate on September 30, 2015. The parties agreed to extend the current agreement under the same terms and conditions to December 31, 2015 and will return to council for consideration of a two year extension before December 31, 2015.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
UTHSCSA has provided the Fire Department with EMT Basic and Paramedic training, EMS Medical Director services and EMS system oversight for the past 38 years and is the current service provider. The current EMS Medical Control and Training Agreement with UTHSCSA was approved by City Council on August 18, 2011, by Ordinance #2011-08-18-0677. This contract was for a two year period, which will terminate on September 30, 2015.
A consultant was hired in February 2011 to evaluate the current provision of both medical training and medical direction as compared to best practices throughout the country. The consultant's findings were presented to the Public Safety Committee in May 2011 and a recommendation was made by staff to continue the agreements with UTHSCSA. Several key issues were identified and acted upon, such as:
* Separate the Medical Direction from the existing contract so as to provide a more direct link to the Fire Chief,
* Provide the flexibility that would allow the...
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