PURPOSE:

To request City Council authorization to accept a $150,500 Prehospital Emergency Medical Care Act Grant from the County of Los Angeles, approve the related program agreement, and amend the Fiscal Year (FY) 2006-07 budget by appropriating funds.

BACKGROUND:

In December of 2005, the Burbank Fire Department purchased fourteen new defibrillators from Zoll Medical Corporation to replace the current fleet that had exceeded its useful life.  Each fire apparatus is equipped with one of these monitors, as well as one spare available at Fire Station 11.  Eight of the units purchased are the standard 3-lead model defibrillators, and the remaining six monitors are upgraded units with 12-lead capability and capnography.  These more advanced units are placed on our active and reserve Rescue Ambulances in order to provide the best possible emergency medical services to our patients.

Through the approval of Measure �B�, the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DOH) has funded the Prehospital Emergency Medical Care Personnel Act Grant to improve local delivery of emergency medical care to the sick and injured.  Part of this grant includes funding to assist local fire departments with the purchase of 12-lead capable defibrillators with capnography for all active fire apparatus.  The upgrade of existing units to this more advanced capability is also eligible for funding under this grant.  The Burbank Fire Department would like to take advantage of this opportunity by purchasing the upgraded technology for our eight existing 3-lead defibrillators.

DISCUSSION:

The improved defibrillator technology undoubtedly provides better patient care at the scene of an emergency.  The 12-lead monitors give paramedics the ability to have a more sophisticated Electrocardiogram (EKG) reading in the field, showing six different views of the heart rather than the one view provided by the 3-lead monitors.  Capnography has been shown to decrease overall patient mortality rates when used by Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers.  This function measures the CO2 output from an unconscious and unresponsive patient that is in full arrest.  The CO2 levels indicate when a tube has been dislodged during intubation, allowing paramedics to make the necessary adjustments to get oxygen flowing into the lungs. 

With the adoption of the Assessment Paramedic Engine program in 2006, upgrading the technology of the paramedic equipment on our engines is the next logical step towards improving the overall quality of EMS delivery to our patients.  By taking advantage of the grant funds offered by Los Angeles County DOH, the Burbank Fire Department will be able to have 12-lead monitors and the capnography available on every apparatus.  Additionally, DOH is working towards revising their current policies and making the 12-lead defibrillators mandatory for all fire departments within the next three years.  Therefore, Staff believes it is in the best interests of the City to upgrade our units while the County funding is available to do so.  Since the grant is only available until December 31, 2006, the Fire Department would like to act quickly and purchase the monitor upgrade package as soon as possible.  The grant funds will not only cover the costs of the upgrade, but also the original purchase price of the units. 

FISCAL IMPACT:

Once the upgrade of our equipment is completed, the Burbank Fire Department will be eligible to receive a reimbursement grant in the amount of $150,500 from the Los Angeles County DOH.  The estimated cost of upgrading the eight 12-lead defibrillators is $72,744.  The remaining $77,756 balance of the grant will be used to offset anticipated recurring increases to the Fund 533 rental rates of $14,412 annually due to the increased value of the equipment.  To purchase the upgrade, the Fire Department is requesting that the budget be amended to appropriate $72,744 from account 533.FD000.48010.1999 (Fire Department � Miscellaneous Grants) to account number 533.FD03A.15041 (Emergency Medical Services � Equipment, Clearing).  This grant requires no matching funds from the City of Burbank.

RECOMMENDATION:

Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the resolution accepting the grant, approving the agreement, and amending the FY 2006-2007 budget by appropriating the funds in the amount of $72,744.

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