Title
An Ordinance creating a new Article 10 (Ground Ambulance Service Enterprise) of Chapter 14 (Municipal Enterprises) of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs 2001, as amended, pertaining to the creation of a municipal ground ambulance service enterprise
Presenter:
Randy Royal, CSFD Fire Chief
Jayme McConnellogue, CSFD Deputy Chief
Ryan Trujillo, Deputy Chief of Staff
Body
Summary:
A short follow-up presentation regarding the proposed Emergency Medical Services Enterprise managed by the Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) with the purpose of providing transport services and other associated and integrated emergency medical functions. An ordinance is being presented for City Council consideration for the purpose of enacting the Enterprise at the end of the present ambulance contract term.
Background:
We firmly believe that our commitment to the community and to its future will allow the CSFD to bring more stability, opportunity and efficiency to the entire EMS system now and in the future.
CSFD has been evaluating alternative service delivery options for ambulance transport in Colorado Springs leading up the current contract expiration with a 3rd party contractor, American Medical Response (AMR), on April 1, 2025. After significant research, due diligence, and validation efforts, CSFD is proposing the establishment of a CSFD Emergency Medical Services Enterprise to provide ambulance transport services, general emergency medical services and community & public health programs through an ordinance. City Administration and CSFD has been proactively informing and collaborating with City Council since February 2024, and provided a detailed presentation to City Council and the general public at the Work Session on May 13, 2024. Since this is a proposed ordinance, it requires two votes of City Council, and the first vote is scheduled during the City Council meeting on June 11, 2024.
Previous Council Action:
A presentation at the May 13, 2024 Work Session meeting.
Financial Implications:
Being this will be an enterprise within the fire department, there will not be an impact to the General Fund nor will there be an increase in the tax burden of the community. The enterprise will be self-sustaining through user fees charged for actual patient transport.
City Council Appointed Board/Commission/Committee Recommendation:
N/A
Stakeholder Process:
The project team has proactively met with City Council Members on the proposal. Additionally multiple meetings were held with stakeholders within the community to include the hospital systems, the business and philanthropic community, allied healthcare service agencies, and a variety of non-profit community focused agencies.
Alternatives:
The alternatives that exist in lieu of the establishment of an enterprise are to provide a new RFP for transport services and identify a future transport provider. Additionally, the city could extend the present contract for one or more years within the parameters of the contract guidelines.
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
Approve an Ordinance creating a new Article 10 (Ground Ambulance Service Enterprise) of Chapter 14 (Municipal Enterprises) of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs 2001, as amended, pertaining to the creation of a Municipal Ground Ambulance Service Enterprise
Summary of Ordinance Language
An Ordinance creating a new Article 10 (Ground Ambulance Service Enterprise) of Chapter 14 (Municipal Enterprises) of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs 2001, as amended, pertaining to the creation of a municipal ground ambulance service enterprise
The ordinance is for the formation of a municipally owned ground ambulance service in the form of an enterprise providing transportation services, general emergency medical services, and administration of a self-sustaining community and public health program