Butte County Municipal Code Art. III Exclusive Operating Areas

The LEMSA shall, pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 1797.224, divide the County into Exclusive Operating Areas ("EOAs") for the purpose of designating areas within which ground ambulance companies shall provide primary 911 emergency service and the most timely and effective response in compliance with the LEMSA policy and procedures for emergency dispatch. The EOAs shall be shown on a map of the County kept on file with the Health Director and filed with the Local EMS Agency EMS Plan.

A competitive procurement process shall be utilized by the LEMSA at appropriate intervals to select one (1) or more ambulance companies to provide exclusive 911 ambulance services in any Exclusive Operating Area created pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 1797.224.

(Ord. No. 4057, § 1, 5-21-13)

The LEMSA may modify, enlarge, divide, overlap or otherwise apportion Exclusive Operating Areas and service areas on a temporary basis at any time for any length of time not to exceed thirty (30) days upon any of the following conditions or occurrences:

(a) A labor action disrupting or ending ambulance service in all or part of such areas.

(b) The closing, bankruptcy or dissolution of an ambulance service company, disrupting or ending ambulance service by that company in all or part of such areas.

(c) Any other circumstance which disrupts or ends ambulance service in all or part of such areas and occurs without sufficient notice to allow Board action.

(d) Suspension, revocation or termination of an ambulance service Provider Agreement under this chapter. Upon request of the LEMSA or Health Director under this section, an ambulance service Provider shall cooperate fully and assume on a temporary basis service responsibility in its expanded areas. Such service shall not be a violation of this article or the Provider Agreement for the EOA.

(Ord. No. 4057, § 1, 5-21-13)

It shall be unlawful for any ground ambulance service provider to provide any non-911 ambulance services within any Exclusive Operating Area unless the Provider has entered into an ALS Provider Agreement with the LEMSA.

(Ord. No. 4057, § 1, 5-21-13)

An ambulance service Provider having a valid Provider Agreement may provide emergency ambulance services in an Exclusive Operating Area, not authorized by his/her Provider Agreement under any of the following circumstances:

(a) Upon request by the LEMSA, a public safety agency or another authorized ambulance service Provider when an ambulance authorized in the service area from which the request originates is not immediately available as provided for in EMS Agency Policies and Procedures.

(b) To provide ambulance services to a destination outside of the ambulance service Provider's authorized and designated Exclusive Operating Area when the patient was picked up within the authorized and designated Exclusive Operating Area.

(c) Upon request of the LEMSA, a Public Safety Answering Point or authorized dispatch center request when an ambulance licensed in the Exclusive Operating Area from which the request originates is not the closest ambulance unit, and in accordance with EMS Agency Policies and Procedures.

(d) When requested by the MHOAC, the LEMSA, another ambulance service Provider or a public safety agency to supplement services during a multiple victim incident, or as otherwise provided under EMS Policies and Procedures.

(Ord. No. 4057, § 1, 5-21-13)

As required, the LEMSA shall conduct a competitive procurement process for selecting authorized Providers to operate in Exclusive Operating Areas, which process shall conform to "Guidelines for Creating Exclusive Emergency Medical Services Operating Service Areas" issued by the California Medical Services Authority in July 1985, or as subsequently amended or supplemented. Where a competitive process is required, the LEMSA may enter into a Provider Agreement with an ambulance company for services within an Exclusive Operating Area after considering the following:

(a) The quality of the service to be provided.

(b) The level of service to be provided.

(c) The cost, if any, to the County.

(d) Evidence of ability to work effectively with local agencies.

(e) Experience in the provision of ambulance services.

(f) The financial viability of the company.

(g) The compliance of the company with all applicable federal, state, and county codes and regulations, and LEMSA policies and procedures.

(h) Such other criteria as shall be relevant to the issue of which applicant is most likely to provide the best service to the County and its residents and visitors.

(Ord. No. 4057, § 1, 5-21-13)

Any person desiring to enter into a Provider Agreement to provide 911 ground ambulance services in an EOA shall respond to the applicable request for proposals issued by the LEMSA pursuant to its competitive procurement process. Such response shall comply with the requirements specified in said process, include all the information and submittals required by Article IV, and shall be processed in accordance with the requirements of the competitive procurement process and Article IV.

(Ord. No. 4057, § 1, 5-21-13)