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Adopt a resolution adopting the Emergency Ambulance Services Provider Contracting Policy for the Local Emergency Medical Services Agency of 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 that the Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution adopting the Emergency Ambulance Services Provider Contracting Policy for the Local Emergency Medical Services Agency of Solano County.
SUMMARY:
On November 18, 2025, the Board introduced an ordinance amending Chapter 7.1 of the Solano County Code to return the Local Emergency Medical Services Agency (LEMSA) authority to Solano County, which was subsequently adopted on December 2, 2025. On January 2, 2026, the ordinance became effective, formally designating the Health and Social Services Department, Public Health Division, as the County’s LEMSA. The transition of the LEMSA from SEMSC to the County requires updated policies to govern the contracting and oversight of emergency ambulance services.
The current ambulance services agreement of the Exclusive Operating Area (EOA) contract expires on December 1, 2026, and the County, in its capacity as the LEMSA, must conduct a competitive procurement process consistent with California Health and Safety Code sections 1797.204 and 1797.230. State law requires that, before entering or renewing any ambulance service contract, the LEMSA adopt a resolution adopting a written contracting policy addressing wage comparability, staffing levels, and other procurement considerations.
The County has concluded the competitive procurement process and must now adopt a resolution adopting the Emergency Ambulance Services Provider Contracting Policy to complete the contracting process prior to the expiration of the current contract on December 1, 2026.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Adoption of the policy and resolution itself has no direct fiscal impact. Future fiscal implications will be presented to the Board during the ambulance contract award process.
DISCUSSION:
In 1996, the Solano County Emergency Medical Services Cooperative (SEMSC), a Joint Powers Authority, was designated as the Local Emergency Medical Services Agency (LEMSA) for Solano County. In April 2010, the SEMSC entered into an ambulance service agreement for the provision of emergency ambulance services in an EOA, which has been extended on several occasions and is currently set to expire on December 1, 2026.
In anticipation of the current Ambulance Service Agreement terminating, the SEMSC initiated a competitive process to select a provider of emergency ambulance services in the EOA. In addition, on October 10, 2024, the SEMSC Board approved Policy Memorandum 1900: Exclusive Operating Area (EOA) Request for Proposal (RFP) and Contracting Process and adopted Resolution No. 24-002: Resolution of the SEMSC adopting the Exclusive Ambulance Services Provider Contracting Process Policy. On February 4, 2025, the Board of Supervisors accepted and endorsed SEMSC Policy 1900, but it was not formally adopted by the Board, as the Board was not the LEMSA at the time.
When the LEMSA transferred from the SEMSC to the County, the Request for Proposals was amended to transfer the contracting agency from the SEMSC to the County. The County now needs to adopt a resolution and policy setting forth the following issues to be considered for inclusion in the upcoming EOA service agreement:
1. Employment retention requirements for the employees of the incumbent ambulance service.
2. Demonstrated experience serving similar populations and geographic areas.
3. Diversity and equity efforts address the unique needs of vulnerable and underserved populations in the service area.
4. Financial requirements, including requiring a private ambulance service provider to show proof of insurance and bonding.
5. A description of the ambulance service provider's public information and education activities, and community involvement.
In addition, the contract shall demonstrate:
1. How the contract will provide for the payment of comparable wages and benefits to all ambulance service employees that are generally consistent with those provided to ambulance service employees in the same geographic region.
2. That staffing levels for ambulance service employees will be comparable to the staffing levels under the SEMSC's previous contract.
Adoption of the resolution and incorporated policy will allow the County to finalize the contracting process prior to the expiration of the current contract on December 1, 2026, and ensure uninterrupted EMS service delivery
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to adopt the resolution. This is not recommended, as State law requires adoption of a contracting policy before initiating an ambulance services contract.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION