TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Bruce Moe, City Manager
FROM:
Michael Lang, Fire Chief
Tyler Wade, Fire Division Chief
Sarah Michael, Management Analyst
SUBJECT:Title
Consideration of a Resolution Approving an Agreement with Marc R. Cohen, MD, Professional Corporation, to Provide Emergency Medical Services (“EMS”) Medical Director Oversight Services with a Maximum Compensation of $54,000 Annually (Fire Chief Lang).
ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 23-0123
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RECOMMENDATION:
1. Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 23-0123 approving an agreement with Marc R. Cohen, MD, Professional Corporation, to provide medical director oversight of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for thirty-three months with the option to renew the agreement for two additional one-year extensions.
2. Allow the City Manager to exercise each option to extend or renew the agreement.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
The agreement under consideration with Marc R. Cohen, MD, Professional Corporation (Dr. Cohen) for Medical Director services has a maximum compensation of $54,000 annually and has a term of thirty-three months with the option for two additional one-year extensions at the same annual rate. Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-2024 has been prorated with a total cost of $40,500 for the period between October 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024. In the event that both options to extend the agreement are exercised, the proposed agreement would be for a total amount not to exceed of $256,500. Sufficient funds exist within the Fire Department budget in the General Fund to cover the nine-month payment for FY 2023-2024. Future years will be budgeted accordingly.
BACKGROUND:
As stipulated by Reference No. 411 of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services Prehospital Care Manual, it is a requirement for all Fire Departments to appoint a physician. This designated physician assumes the responsibility of providing guidance and coordinating the medical aspects of field care, to provide oversight of all medications utilized by Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics including controlled medications, and to oversee the Fire Department’s quality improvement process.
The Medical Director must have extensive experience and expertise in emergency medicine proven by their certification or board eligibility by the American Board of Emergency Medicine, and their qualifying knowledge and experience in the field.
The primary roles and responsibilities of a Medical Director can be broadly grouped into planning, training, providing administrative support with annual audits, EMS oversight, and special projects. The Medical Director will serve as a vital link between the Los Angeles County EMS Medical Director, hospitals, and various agency Medical Directors to maintain the delivery of safe and effective medical care.
For several years, South Bay Regional Public Communications Authority (SBRPCA) oversaw the contract administration for the Medical Director (Dr. Cohen) for El Segundo and Manhattan Beach. The contract that SBRPCA managed expired and El Segundo chose to establish a contract directly with Dr. Cohen; the Manhattan Beach Fire Department would like to do so as well. Dr. Cohen has been providing medical oversight for the Fire Department EMS operations for several years and is familiar with the Department needs. Additionally, Dr. Cohen was very helpful during the COVID-19 pandemic in ensuring the City got through the critical time.
DISCUSSION:
Dr. Cohen is a board certified Emergency Medicine and EMS physician. He meets the requirements, roles and responsibilities outlined for a Provider Agency Medical Director as specified by Los Angeles County Department of Health Services Prehospital Care Policy. Beyond this, he extends his services in this capacity for other local government agencies including El Segundo, Beverly Hills, and Torrance.
Dr. Cohen will advise the Fire Department on matters pertaining to EMS planning, training, quality improvement, and policy development, in accordance with government regulations and guidelines. Furthermore, Dr. Cohen, as Medical Director, will oversee the Department’s pharmaceuticals as the ordering Physician.
With the contract being established a few months after the beginning of the fiscal year, the contract term is set for 33 months in an effort to align with the fiscal calendar. Pursuant to Manhattan Beach Municipal Code (MBMC) Section 2.36.130, contracts for services of specially-trained and professional persons are exempt from bidding. However, if the amount equals or exceeds $50,000, such contracts can only be approved by the City Council. Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 23-0123 approving an agreement with Marc R. Cohen, MD, Professional Corporation, to provide Medical Director oversight of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for three years with an option to renew for two additional one-year extension.
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
After analysis, staff determined that public outreach was not required for this topic.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The City has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is necessary.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has approved the agreement as to form.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution No. 23-0123
2. Agreement- Marc R. Cohen, MD, Professional Corporation