Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Andrew J. Meyers
Department: County Attorney
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO ADOPT Resolution directing the County Administrator to publish Notice of Public Hearing to be held on June 7, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., in Room 422 of the Governmental Center to consider enactment of a proposed Ordinance, the title of which is as follows:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, PERTAINING TO EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES; AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 3½ OF THE BROWARD COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES ("CODE"); ADDING A NEW CLASSIFICATION OF SERVICE; AMENDING APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT SERVICE; AMENDING PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS AND RULES AND REGULATIONS; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, INCLUSION IN THE CODE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
(Sponsored by Vice-Mayor Lamar P. Fisher)
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Why Action is Necessary
The proposed Ordinance was prepared by the Office of the County Attorney at the direction of the Board of County Commissioners at its meeting of December 14, 2021.
What Action Accomplishes
Enables the setting of a public hearing during which the Board may consider enacting the proposed Ordinance.
Is this Action Goal Related
No
Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
Chapter 3½ of the Broward County Code of Ordinances ("Code") requires that every person or entity (including governmental) that provides Advanced Life Support ("ALS") and Basic Life Support ("BLS") service within Broward County must obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity ("certificate") from Broward County. The Code currently provides four classifications of service: (1) Class 1 - ALS rescue; (2) Class 2 - ALS transfer; (3) Class 3 - BLS transport; and (4) Class 4 - ALS air rescue.
Interfacility transfers, the transfer of patients from one licensed medical facility to another, are an important aspect of patient care. The primary reason for such transfers is to maintain the continuity of medical care. Certain transfers may require more specialized care, such as for patients receiving an organ transplant or patients on certain specialized equipment.
The proposed amendment adds definitions and creates a new classification of service, Class 5 - ALS specialty transport. Specialty transport means the transportation by an Emergency Medical Service ("EMS") transport vehicle (a) between two facilities licensed under Chapter 395, Florida Statutes, of an organ transplant patient or a patient on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation ("ECMO"), or (b) to and from an airport. An EMS provider awarded a Class 5 - ALS specialty transport certificate may provide specialty transport within Broward County. The proposed amendment also provides that each patient compartment of an EMS transport vehicle when used for a Class 5 - ALS specialty transport must be staffed with a minimum of one State-licensed paramedic and one State-licensed emergency medical technician. Additional staff may be in the patient compartment if required by the patient's condition.
Source of Additional Information
Adam M. Katzman, Senior Assistant County Attorney, 954-357-7600
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
The Fiscal Impact Statement by the Office of Management and Budget will be provided at the time of the public hearing, in compliance with Section 18.5(e)(7) of the Broward County Administrative Code.