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Adopt a resolution recognizing May 17-23, 2020 as Emergency Medical Services Week in Solano County
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Published Notice Required? Yes ___ No _X_
Public Hearing Required? Yes ___ No _X_
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Health and Social Services recommends the Board adopt a resolution recognizing May 17-23, 2020 as Emergency Medical Services Week in Solano County.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) has designated May 17-23, 2020 as National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week. National EMS Week brings together local communities and medical personnel to honor the dedication of those who provide the day-to-day lifesaving services of medicine’s front line. EMS Week is a national salute to the emergency physicians, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), paramedics, firefighters, emergency medical dispatchers, law enforcement agencies, medical flight teams, educators, administrators, and others who provide quality, lifesaving emergency care to communities across the nation. In Solano County, there are approximately 1,400 EMTs and paramedics who provide daily EMS care to residents and visitors.
The Public Health Division within the Department of Health & Social Services (H&SS) includes the County’s EMS Agency, which is responsible for monitoring and oversight of County-contracted ambulance service providers along with designation and monitoring of Trauma Centers, ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) Receiving Centers and Emergency Departments approved for pediatrics. EMS employs a team of professionals who coordinate all aspects of efficient response to individual and community emergencies. EMS core values include: rapid response to minimize the time from emergency event to arrival or resources; competency in practice in applying clinical field medicine to highest standards using best practices; and accountability to measure, validate, report, and improve processes for the delivery of optimal care.
Throughout February 2020, the Solano EMS Agency, supported by Medic Ambulance, assisted the US Health and Human Services Agency in planning and implementing emergency management and response efforts related to the Travis Air Force Base repatriation missions. The effort involved working with the federal government and local hospitals to prepare for the multi-patient transport and treatment event. EMS responders also transported the first patient in the US confirmed to have sustained community-based coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission, and Solano County fire departments, healthcare providers, and transport agencies continue working together to ensure residents and visitors of Solano County receive the best care and treatment during this pandemic.
The 2020 national EMS Week theme is “EMS Strong - Ready Today. Preparing for Tomorrow.” Activities traditionally planned by the EMS Agency to honor industry professionals have been rescheduled to later in the year due to response requirements associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the Department’s FY2019/20 Adopted Budget. The costs associated with preparation and purchase of the resolution materials are included in the Board’s FY2019/20 Adopted Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to adopt this resolution. This is not recommended because this is an opportunity to recognize the hard work and dedication of Emergency Medical Services providers in Solano County.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The following organizations are involved with EMS Week in Solano County: Medic Ambulance, City Fire Departments, District Fire Departments, Police, Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol, CALSTAR Air Ambulance, Reach Air Ambulance, Kaiser Permanente, NorthBay Medical Center, and various ambulance transport companies.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION