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APPROVE A MOTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING REGARDING EMERGENCY DISPATCH SERVICES BETWEEN THE CITY OF STOCKTON AND SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE AGENCY
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve a motion to:
1. Authorize the City Manager to sign Amendment No. 1 to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) dated December 10, 2019, regarding 911 call processing and emergency dispatch services (EDS) between the City of Stockton (COS) and San Joaquin County Emergency Medical Services Agency; (SJCEMSA) extending the term date of the MOU to November 1, 2021, and other additional changes to align timelines to meet the amended term date; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to take appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this motion.
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Summary
On October 1, 2019, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill No. 438 (SB 438) into law. SB 438 impacts regulatory authority of local emergency medical services agencies over 911 call processing and EDS. In response to SB 438, the COS negotiated a MOU with SJCEMSA regarding EDS.
A Settlement Agreement between the City and SJCEMSA in 2010 removed the Stockton Fire Department Regional Dispatch Center as a secondary Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP), and designated LifeComm, now known as Valley Regional Emergency Communications Center (VRECC), as the secondary PSAP.
On February 25, 2020, Council approved a MOU with SJCEMSA, modifying Section I.6.a of the 2010 Settlement Agreement to allow, no later than May 1, 2021, all calls for emergency medical incidents received by PSAP to be routed to Stockton Fire Department’s (SFD) dispatch center (ECD) for call processing and EDS. Staff is recommending Council authorize the City Manager to sign Amendment No. 1, extending the transition date of the live caller to November 1, 2021 (Attachment A).
DISCUSSION
Background
The California Emergency Medical Services Act authorizes SJCEMSA to develop an Emergency Medical Service (Service) program. SJCEMSA’s Service program establishes policies, guidelines, and procedures for Service providers authorized within the San Joaquin County’s jurisdiction. In 2006, litigation was initiated over SJCEMSA’s policies and guidelines. On October 5, 2010, SJCEMSA and the City entered into a Settlement Agreement and general release regarding a dispute related to, among other things, 911 call processing. The Settlement Agreement required 911 calls from people seeking emergency medical services to be transferred from a primary PSAP, which consists of Stockton Police Department (SPD), California Highway Patrol (CHP), and San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office to VRECC, designated as the secondary PSAP. VRECC then performs EMD services, and once that process is completed, the information is shared with SFD via Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) through a CAD to CAD link. ECD continued to dispatch fire units for Stockton Fire.
Subsequently, SB 438 was signed into law on October 1, 2019, amending Government Code section 53110 and adding Section 53100.5. Both Government sections address 911 call processing and affect the 2010 settlement agreement between SJCEMSA and the City. The new legislation clarifies a public agency’s duty to develop emergency communication procedures and respond quickly to a person seeking emergency services through the 911 emergency telephone system.
On February 25, 2020, Council approved a MOU with SJCEMSA, modifying Section I.6.a of the 2010 Settlement Agreement to allow, no later than May 1, 2021, all calls for emergency medical incidents received by PSAP to be routed to Stockton Fire Department’s (SFD) dispatch center (ECD) for call processing and EDS. The modification allows all calls from the primary PSAP to be directed to ECD, designated as the secondary PSAP. The live caller will be transferred from the primary PSAP to ECD, who will then perform EMD services on those calls, and share the information with AMR via a CAD to CAD link so AMR can dispatch their resources, and ECD will dispatch the appropriate fire units.
Present Situation
Due to COVID19 and the on-going CAD upgrade, there has been a delay in transferring the live caller from the primary PSAP to ECD. Staff recommends Council authorize the City Manager to sign Amendment No. 1 to the MOU, extending the term date to November 1, 2021. Additional changes in Amendment No. 1 to the MOU include aligning additional dates and timelines to meet the amended term date.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
There is no financial impact to approve Amendment No. 1 to this MOU.
Attachment A - MOU - Emergency Dispatch Services - Amendment No. 1