Title
Approval of Intergovernmental EMS Contract for Paramedic Services with Thurston County
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the Interlocal EMS Contract for the Mayor's signature.
Report
Issue:
Changes in the number of paramedics at Olympia Fire Department necessitates a change in the Intergovernmental EMS Contract.
Staff Contact:
Greg Wright, Deputy Fire Chief, 360.753.8466
Presenter(s):
Greg Wright, Deputy Fire Chief
Background and Analysis:
The City of Olympia has had a contract with Thurston County (Medic One) to provide paramedic services for nearly 40 years. The contract language specifically ties the reimbursement to the City to the number of paramedic FTE's being employed. The language specifies 7 paramedics at 100% or 8 paramedics at 90% or 9 paramedics at 80% for each paramedic unit, Medic 4 and Medic 10. The City makes up the difference allowing the City to employee paramedic firefighters at reduced cost per FTE. The arrangement has served both parties and the citizens of Olympia and Thurston County well, The contract as is currently written specifies the number of FTE's.
In 2014 the Olympia Fire Department has experienced and will continue to experience a number of retirements and promotions changing the number of paramedics. Each time this happens the contract in its current form needs to be reopened and changed. This requires a significant amount of staff time, legal time for review, City Council and Board of County Commissioners time. Last year when one such change was made the question was asked, "why not create a contract that had more flexibility?" At the time it was decided not to make the changes but with the number of paramedic retirements and promotions expected by Olympia Fire Department in 2014, it has been decided to change the contract once to create the flexibility needed rather than reopen the contract each time ther...
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