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Title:
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Approval of an Amendment to an Existing Professional Services Agreement with UCLA to Provide Paramedic Continuing Education Extending the Term of the Agreement to June 30, 2010.
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City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
Meeting Date: May 4, 2009 Item Number: C-3
AGENDA ITEM: Approval of an Amendment to an Existing Professional Services
Agreement with UCLA to Provide Paramedic Continuing Education Extending the
Term of the Agreement to June 30, 2010.
Contact Person/Dept.: Phone Number:
Capt. Darryl Wells, Fire Administration (310) 253-5900
Fiscal Impact: Y s .[X] N []
Gene al•Fund:•Yes [X] No []
Public Hearing:•] Action Item: 1] Attachments: [I
Public Notification: Master E-Mail Notification List (04/29/09)
Department Approval:
Jeffrey Eastman (by C Sellers)
(04/29/09)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol A. Schwab (by H. Baker) (04/29/09)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (by M. Noller) (04/29/09)
City Manager Approval:
Jerry B. Fulwood (04/29/09)
RECOMMENDATION:
approve an amendment to an existing
UCLA to provide paramedic continuing
the term of the Agreement to June
require each Fire Department
two years to maintain his/her paramedic
paramedics have obtained CE
overtime.
to minimize "discretionary" overtime. Since
stopped authorizing overtime for CE
and contracted with the University of
Care (UCLA) to provide on-duty CE to
also provides the required hours for our
(EMT) recertification.
a tremendous success. It has saved the
overtime and provides Culver City Fire
available. Other Fire Departments in this
Staff recommends the City Council
professional services agreement with
education (CE) to the Fire Department extending
30, 2010.
BACKGROUND:
State Law and Los Angeles County regulations
paramedic to obtain 48 hours of CE every
license. Historically, Culver City Fire Department
outside of regular work-hours and were paid
The Fire Department makes every effort
2003, the Emergency Medical Services Division
obtained outside of regular work hours
California Los Angeles Center for Pre-hospital
all three Fire Department shifts. This CE
firefighter emergency medical technicians'
This contractual arrangement has been
City thousands of dollars in "discretionary"
Department paramedics with the best CE
1City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
area either receive CE from the UCLA under similar agreements or have hired their
own nurse educators at a significantly higher cost.
DISCUSSION
UCLA is a nationally recognized organization. It is considered one of the premier
Emergency Medical Services training centers in the world. UCLA is still the only
organization in this area that provides this unique service tailored to the specific
needs of the Culver City Fire Department, bringing the CE to our classroom.
Further, their staff and educators remain current and involved with the local Los
Angeles County EMS Agency and share this knowledge with Culver City's EMTs and
paramedics.
The proposed contract amendment is for a term of eighteen months, from January 1,
2009 through June 30, 2010, at the request of UCLA. The contract provides Culver
City Fire Department paramedics with 28 hours of CE on each of the three shifts, for
a total of 84 hours of CE per year. The CE topic selection is guided by the Fire
Department's Quality Improvement Program and specific needs identified by the
Emergency Medical Services Coordinator and Fire Department Medical Director.
Culver City Fire Department has an ongoing relationship with UCLA. UCLA's
Paramedic School frequently places paramedic interns with Culver City Fire
Department paramedics and our Fire Department personnel regularly lecture in
UCLA's Paramedic Program. The UCLA Medical Center is also our paramedic's
designated base station for online medical control when needed. It should be noted
that our local hospital, Brotman Medical Center, does not provide this type of
service.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
An analysis of overtime spent during fiscal year 01/02 shows that $22,228.00 was
paid to Department paramedics for attending CE outside of regular work hours. The
initial contract with UCLA was in effect from January 1, 2003 for a one year term.
The contract had built in extensions ending December 31, 2008. Contracting with
UCLA during the 2003 calendar year saved the city approximately $14,279.00.
Although the original contract had a built in 5% annual cost of living increase, UCLA
has agreed that for the course of this amendment, that there would be no further
cost increases. Monies for this service are currently budgeted for in the Fire
Department's EMS Division (10145300). The total contract cost is $14,394.06,
which will be billed monthly at $799.67.City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
ATTACHMENTS:
None
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1. Approve an amendment to an existing Professional Services Agreement with
UCLA to provide paramedic continuing education extending the term of the
Agreement to June 30, 2010: and,
2. Authorize the City Attorney to review/prepare the necessary documents; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute such documents on behalf of the City.