New contract creates pathway for enhanced Emergency Medical Services from both American Medical Response and the Fire District
Enhanced ambulance services, improved oversight, and quicker response times will be implemented in Santa Barbara County under a new Exclusive Ambulance Provider agreement going before the Board of Supervisors for approval at their February 11, 2025, Board Meeting.
In addition, American Medical Response West (AMR) is settling its litigation with the County as it forms a new partnership with the County of Santa Barbara and Fire District.
The primary components of the new Exclusive Emergency Medical Services contract between the County and AMR are:
- An initial 4-year term
- Implementation of enhanced clinical performance standards
- An option for County Fire District to provide services in Zone 4 (Lompoc) and Zone 6 (Carpinteria, Summerland and Montecito)
The 4-year term starts when the County approves the contract in open session.
Moving forward the County will see improvements in our Emergency Medical Services. There will be reduced ambulance response times by two-minutes for life-saving emergency calls. All emergency medical calls will go through the new Regional Fire Communications Center, allowing for enhanced collaboration between Fire and AMR and the implementation of countywide Emergency Medical Dispatch to provide pre-arrival instructions and getting the appropriate resources to where they are needed as quickly as possible.
There will be improved clinical standards and more oversight. The newly formed Emergency Medical Care Committee (EMCC) will review emergency medical services in the county, as well as make reports and recommendations to the Board of Supervisors. This will enhance transparency and accountability as this is an independent community advisory board made of 16 commissioners.
The new contract also increases data transparency on patient care through a clinical scorecard. Adding the clinical scorecard ensures patients will not just receive a fast ambulance but also the highest quality clinical care available to them and it will be tracked. The agreement requires the contractor to submit a performance improvement plan if they fall below 90% for 2 consecutive months which will provide greater accountability.
In the new agreement County Fire will continue providing services in the areas it currently services in Vandenberg Village, Cuyama, and University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB). In addition, the new contract gives the County Fire District the option to be a subcontractor to provide Emergency Medical Services in Zone 4 (Lompoc) and Zone 6 (Carpinteria, Summerland and Montecito).
The County Fire District will be reviewing the contract and the logistics of implementation in the weeks to come.
Related News
https://www.edhat.com/news/amr-plans-to-file-lawsuit-over-county-fire-winning-ambulance-contract/
https://www.edhat.com/news/ambulance-service-contract-debate-heats-up-in-santa-barbara-county/
https://www.edhat.com/news/supervisors-end-ambulance-contract-with-amr/
https://www.edhat.com/news/santa-barbara-county-supervisors-approve-county-fire-for-ambulance-permits/
Sounds like a good outcome.
Yes, it does. It’s too bad that it took a couple of years and a lawsuit to reach this point though.
A deep dive is very much needed into the substantial loss of taxpayer funds for this pet project. Both Chief Hartwig and Huff wasted hundreds of thousands that could have been used in many other ways. Or better yet, reinvested in the communities that fund County Fire.
Recall the 40 new ambulances that were purchased only to sit idle. Where are those?
How much was spent on supplies, accessories, and special consultants?
This is a clear display of a total lack of any fiscal responsibility but why should they care, they get more money every year from your tax dollars.
Another example of local government putting businesses out of business to support their never ending demand for money. I am glad the courts stopped it.
The whole thing smells of Das Williams. So glad he is gone from county government although he has landed a cushy job paid for by local citizens at Central Coast Community Energy. How does that square with Central Coast Community Energy’s promise to reinvest profits into community needs. When they announced that they hired Das I moved back to SCE.
Yeah! Cut off your nose to spite your face!
Why does a million dollar big rig have to follow the ambulance on a call?
Why does someone who knows nothing about it care?