Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: 4/5 Vote
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Louise F. Rogers, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Travis Kusman, Director, Emergency Medical Services
Subject: Appropriate Transfer Request for Emergency Preparedness COVID Staffing
RECOMMENDATION:
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Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) in the amount of $220,000 recognizing unanticipated revenue for Emergency Medical Services Agency (EMS), within budget subunit 5600B, Emergency Medical Services General Fund, for unanticipated additional COVID funding from the Emergency Preparedness Office to support increased temporary staffing as a result of COVID-19.
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BACKGROUND:
The EMS system depends on many different elements working seamlessly together, from an informed public able to recognize medical emergencies to a network of public safety communication centers, fire departments, ambulance providers, and hospitals providing specialized care to sick people. EMS staff play a critical coordination and regulatory function.
DISCUSSION:
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued COVID Crisis funding of $675,779 on March 20, 2020 for the period of March 5, 2020 to March 15, 2021. The money is to be spent on the following priorities: Incident Management for Early Crisis Responses; Jurisdictional Recovery; Information Management; Countermeasures and Mitigation; Surge Management; and Bio Surveillance. In line with EMS’ role coordinating the Emergency Operation Center, EMS has hired a number of temporary staff to assist in the county efforts to provide resources to multiple healthcare facilities. The roles include clinical personnel as well as experienced EMS administrators for coordination.
This ATR request will allow EMS to continue to provide staff resources with unanticipated revenue that is also being allocated to help fund the efforts.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the work extends from March 5, 2020 through March 15, 2021. This ATR increases the total subunit 5600B budget by $220,000. An additional $152,854 has been included in the FY 20-21 Recommended Budget. The remaining $302,925 of the first allocation will be included in the FY 2020-21 September Revisions. This ATR is 100% funded by the additional COVID Crisis-response funding via the Emergency Preparedness Office (EPO), with no associated Net County Cost.