The Chula Vista Fire Department (CVFD) has now provided Ambulance Transport Services (ATS) to the City of Chula Vista, Bonita and Imperial Beach for one year, having launched the program in April 2021.
History
The effort began with an independent study conducted by AP Triton LLC in 2019 to identify the best approach for the City to pursue. The study considered the economics of ambulance transport and reimbursement for services, and the models of how to deliver those services via contract or assumption of those duties as a municipal service. The recommendation from the City Manager and Fire Department was to move forward with Fire Department based Ambulance Transport Services
CVFD expected to improve service to the community by adding more ambulance units/hours to the system, reducing response times in the eastern part of the City, decreasing the costs of transport bills for patients, and providing unified dispatch of first responder and transport resources with no impact to the City's General Fund or other public services.
The CVFD Ambulance Transport Services will be provided for the Chula Vista, Imperial Beach and Bonita communities. The new program was anticipated to produce revenue with no impact to the general fund; decrease the base rate for the patient by approximately $1,000; leverage $3.5 million in Intergovernmental Transfer (IGT) reimbursement funds; and reinvest revenue to improve/support the transport system.
The Chula Vista City Council voted unanimously to authorize the CVFD to implement Fire Department based Ambulance Transport Services in May 2020.
Timeline and Progress
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September 24, 2019 The City Council approved an agreement with AP Triton Consulting, LLC, to analyze valuation and optimization of the Fire Department’s Emergency Medical Services system concerning ambulance transportation.
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November 2019 Chula Vista Fire Department recommended to City Manager that the Fire Department move forward with Fire Department based ambulance transport services
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January 28, 2020 The City Council approves a resolution directing the City Manager to engage in all necessary administrative actions to implement Fire Department based ambulance transport services
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February 28, 2020 City staff notified San Diego County EMS Agency of Chula Vista’s intent to provide Fire Department based ambulance transport services.
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May 6, 2020 A virtual public workshop was held with the community to present the plan for Fire Department based ambulance transportation and solicit feedback from residents.
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May 12, 2020 The City Council approved a resolution to authorize and direct the City Manager to execute agreements with City of Imperial Beach and Bonita FPD, approve capital purchases, amend the budget, and authorize personnel positions.
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June 11, 2020 The Measure A Citizens Oversight Committee recommended that the City Council authorize a temporary loan from Measure A to the ALS Transport Fund to fund vehicle and equipment startup costs
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June 23, 2020 The City Council approves a temporary loan from Measure A to the ALS Transport Fund to fund vehicle and equipment startup costs.
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August 10, 2020 The recruitment process is initiated for the Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) and Paramedics needed to staff the fire department transport system. Positions are open to all applicants meeting the minimum criteria, including anyone serving with the current provider.
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January 2021 The first ambulances and medical equipment arrived. The ambulances included the latest in safety features for EMS personnel and patients alike. Features such as bariatric capability and disinfection systems have also allowed our system to care for all of the patients we encounter in a safe manner.
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April 2021 The new Fire Department Based Ambulance Transport Services program launches
Fire Department Ambulance Transport Benefits
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System performance, improvements, and financial stability are controlled by the City of Chula Vista and its partners.
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Increased consolidation of first responder and ambulance dispatch. Communications will be on common channels, which will improve safety and efficiency.
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Shared medical direction between all first responders and ambulance personnel.
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Increased number of ambulances based in the South Bay, and hours of service committed to the service area.
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Improved resources stationed in the eastern area of the city
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Reduction and standardization of ambulance base rates throughout the jurisdictions of Bonita, Chula Vista, and Imperial Beach.
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A new systemwide rate of $2,800 for basic and advanced life support transports will be implemented – a savings of more than $1,000 per transport
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No increase to base rate is allowed in the first two years and any future changes to the base rate requires system partners to approve
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Revenue in excess of operating costs must be reinvested within the Ambulance Transport system. System is projected to be self-sustaining.
Supporting Transport Documents from Council Meetings
January 28, 2020
Staff Report
AP Triton Report
May 12, 2020
Staff Report
Attachments 1-6
Powerpoint Presentation
Resolutions A-G
EMT-Paramedic Benefits
Written Communications
