Bulletin #6: March 3, 2011
The Santa Clara County EMS Agency will issue routine Information Bulletins, at least monthly, to help ensure that Santa Clara County EMS System Stakeholders are updated as to the progress of the implementation of the new 911 Emergency Ambulance Contract which becomes effective on July 1, 2011.
• Rural/Metro continues to work with the incumbent’s labor unit to provide specific details of the benefits and salary that are to be offered to employees. Distribution is scheduled for the first week in March.
• All positions remain posted for hire on the Rural/Metro webpage including field EMT’s, paramedics, supervisors, vehicle technicians, and management positions.
• Rural/Metro has received over 200 applications for employment. Job fairs are in the process of being scheduled.
• Rural/Metro EMS Field Supervisor interviews are scheduled for the end of March. The EMS Agency and Santa Clara County Fire Chiefs Association will have representatives on the interview panel.
• Operations Manager candidates are being reviewed by Rural/Metro, selected individuals will then be interviewed by the EMS Agency and Santa Clara County Fire Chiefs Association.
• A total of 25 ambulances are scheduled for delivery by the end of March. Eight have arrived in the County with four additional expected by week’s end.
• Rural/Metro conducts weekly meetings/conference calls with County Communications to coordinate installation of information/technology systems.
• Three of nine EMS Supervisor Vehicles have arrived.
• Call data/deployment modeling to begin running in parallel with the existing system starting in May 2011.
• All radio equipment has been purchased and has an expected delivery date of March 21st.
• Rural/Metro has moved into their headquarters facility in the City of San Jose near Freeway 880 and 101. Tenant improvements are in progress.
• The Provider Agreement Workgroup continues to meet to develop the EMS System Provider Agreement and related annexes (fire department ambulance use and first responder funding). Ten workshops have now been completed since September 2010. Final draft documents are expected to be completed this month.
• The Health and Hospital Committee of the Board of Supervisors will receive an implementation update at their April 13, 2011 meeting.
• Rural/Metro and AMR continue to meet to discuss various transition activities.
• The EMS Agency held the first of four field provider (EMTs, paramedics, and EMS field supervisors) “Town Hall” meetings on February 15th to address questions related to the Rural/Metro transition.
• The EMS Agency and Rural/Metro meet weekly (or via conference call) to coordinate implementation. Fire department providers and County Communications may also attend in person or via conference call.
• The first formal “Transition Team” meeting was held in February consisting of members from the EMS Agency, AMR, Rural/Metro, Santa Clara County Fire Chiefs Association, and County Communications. This group will be most involved in the development of the actual transition plan from AMR to Rural/Metro on June 30/July 1.
• Santa Clara County Prehospital Care Policy update drafts are being completed to address EMS System changes resulting from the new contract. Drafts will be posted for Stakeholder review.
• The Tap Chart Patient Care Reporting System will be presented to the hospitals and specialty centers in March and April. This system enables the transmission of patient care data, including 12-Lead EKG/ECG, from the field to the hospital.
• Rural/Metro continues to schedule meetings with fire departments to discuss station housing and other services for hire/exchange.
• Rural/Metro continues to establish agreements with local vendors for services such as fleet services, furniture, facility maintenance, etc.
• Performance security activities provided in the contract are being implemented including the establishment of a “lock box” which enables the County to view the bank accounts of the Santa Clara County Rural/Metro Operation in addition to a five million dollar performance bond.
• The EMS Agency has completed individual meetings with the fire chiefs and city managers.
• The most current Santa Clara County Rural/Metro Implementation Timeline has been attached.
Contact Information:
John Blain
EMS Specialist/
Contract Implementation Manager
John.Blain@phd.sccgov.org
408.885.4250
About Us
- Santa Clara County EMS Agency
- Santa Clara County, California, United States
- The Santa Clara County EMS Agency is charged with the oversight and regulation of the delivery of emergency medical services within the County. The EMS Agency is responsible for developing and coordinating an integrated emergency medical care delivery system, which is composed of education agencies, hospitals and specialty care facilities. Responsibilities include system planning, training program approval, provider and hospital designation, the establishment of appropriate medical, operations, and quality standards, monitoring and facilitating compliance, and the certification, authorization, and accreditation of personnel. The EMS Agency is also responsible for disaster medical-health planning and response. This includes multiple patient management, emergency public health operations, and medical-health mutual aid coordination.