The ordinance codified in this chapter shall be known as the "FireMed and Ambulance Program ordinance of the city."
(Ord. 1701 § 2, 2009)
The city council declares that the ordinance codified in this chapter is adopted to achieve the following, among other purposes, and directs that the provisions hereof be interpreted in order to accomplish those purposes:
A.
To reduce life loss and disability by maintaining current service levels for the delivery of EMS and ambulance services;
B.
To establish an ambulance transport service with more local control and to provide additional manpower with a greater level of training and knowledge of EMS procedures;
C.
To recover emergency supply costs used by EMS personnel during a medical emergency and transport;
D.
To offer a mechanism for residents and businesses to cap their emergency medical service and ambulance transportation costs through a fee for service and voluntary membership FireMed program.
(Ord. 1701 § 2, 2009)
Unless a different meaning is apparent from the context or is specified in the code, the following definitions shall be used:
means any advanced life support medical treatment performed by paramedics (EMT-P) outside of a hospital. This treatment shall follow the current "Policy and Procedures" as specified by the Orange County emergency medical services agency, and as defined in the Health and Safety Code Section 1797.52.
means the designated ground ambulance service, licensed by the state of California and the county of Orange, which provide services for the city of La Habra.
means any basic life support treatment which is authorized by the state of California Department of Health to be performed by emergency medical technicians I (EMT-I) and/or paramedics (EMT-P) at the scene of a medical emergency. This treatment shall follow the current "Policy and Procedures" as specified by the Orange County emergency medical services agency, and as defined in the Health and Safety Code Section 1797.60.
means a request for service that does not involve ALS or BLS skills. Examples include; requests to assist residents (who have fallen) back into bed or into a chair.
means billing that is generated to cover costs of emergency medical care (ALS, BLS, assist), emergency ambulance service and emergency medical supply costs.
means a voluntary membership plan in which members shall prepay at a fixed price the uninsured portion of emergency medical care, emergency ambulance services and emergency medical supplies provided by the fire department providing service to the city of La Habra and/or La Habra Ambulance. This prepaid membership fee will assure members that they will not incur the higher direct fee-for-service charge.
means those services provided by the fire department providing service to the city of La Habra and/or La Habra Ambulance related to emergency medical care, emergency ambulance service and emergency medical supplies provided during the course of an emergency medical incident.
is defined as commercial, industrial, institutional, offices, hotels and similar occupancies.
is defined as a single dwelling unit in which one or more related or unrelated persons permanently reside. For purposes of this chapter, a convalescent hospital, rest home and retirement homes, shall each be defined as containing separate residences equal to the number of beds in each facility. Hotels, motels, and temporary residential facilities are not included under this definition unless a person has taken up permanent residence at one of these facilities, and can show proof of residence.
means disposable medical supplies and drugs that are used for necessary treatment by EMTs during an emergency.
(Ord. 1701 § 2, 2009)
The police chief or designee shall be responsible for the development of rules, policies and procedures relating to implementation and administration of the FireMed program. The police chief or designee shall exercise reasonable discretion in the interpretation of these regulations, and resolve any dispute arising from the operation of the
FireMed program or conflicts which may arise from the implementation of the various sections of this chapter. The police chief shall report to the city manager and the city council on the status of the FireMed program as directed.
(Ord. 1701 § 2, 2009)
The FireMed program is only open to La Habra residents and nonresidents, including their employees, as defined by this chapter. Eligibility will be established through: current water billing records; rent receipts; utility bills; or other forms of identification which clearly show the member's location in the city.
(Ord. 1701 § 2, 2009)
Each residence of La Habra and nonresident of La Habra will have the opportunity to join the FireMed program annually during the enrollment period.
A.
Those persons of residence and nonresidence in the city of La Habra, as defined in this chapter, who elect to subscribe to the FireMed program may join the FireMed program by submitting a completed application and the payment of the FireMed subscriber fee in a manner to be established by the police chief. Coverage will commence upon acceptance of the required payment. Coverage under the FireMed program will not predate the actual enrollment date. Members who move out of the city prior to the end of the year shall not be eligible for a refund or any portion of the fee and it shall not be transferable.
B.
Residents and nonresidents who move within the city limits while enrolled as a FireMed subscriber will not be required to pay an additional fee, but must submit a change of address to the police department, FireMed office within thirty days.
(Ord. 1701 § 2, 2009)
Advanced life support, basic life support, emergency medical assist, emergency response rate, mileage, oxygen, standby time and emergency medical supplies, are authorized and shall be charged in connection with emergency medical care provided by the fire department providing service to the city of La Habra and/or La Habra Ambulance. The amount of such fees shall be set from time to time by resolution of the city council. There shall be two categories of fees as follows:
A.
The fee for service shall be a membership fee designed to recover costs associated with the delivery of emergency medical care and ambulance services. Each recipient of the FireMed services shall be liable for all charges incurred on their behalf. In case of multiple accident or injury calls, each person shall only be liable for the cost of services rendered to them. Bills for service are due upon presentation. Such fees shall be charged for:
1.
Emergencies requiring basic life support (BLS) services;
2.
Emergencies requiring advanced life support (ALS) services;
3.
Emergency medical response whether or not transportation was provided; and
4.
Emergencies requiring ambulance transportation to the nearest medical facility best suited to meet the patient's emergency medical needs.
The responding ambulance program personnel shall determine the classification of a call. This determination shall be based on guidelines established in this chapter and which may be adopted from time-to-time by the police chief or designee in conjunction with the paramedics and base station physicians.
B.
1.
The FireMed program shall be a membership program offered to persons of residence and nonresidence of La Habra on a voluntary basis for the purpose of allowing members to prepay, at a fixed price, the uninsured portion of emergency ambulance service and emergency medical charges for services provided by the fire department providing service to the city of La Habra and/or La Habra Ambulance.
2.
Payment of the membership fee by residents of La Habra shall entitle membership to all permanent residents of each paying household.
3.
Fees paid by nonresidents of La Habra entitle employees to membership benefits only while on the job within the city limits.
Guests, customers, patrons, patients, visitors or others using the facilities of such households and businesses shall be charged directly for all FireMed services.
(Ord. 1701 § 2, 2009)
Implementation of membership fees for FireMed services shall begin September 1, 1995. The police chief or designee shall be authorized to administer the FireMed program beginning upon adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter. All residents who are currently enrolled in the paramedic subscription program will enjoy full coverage for any FireMed services which might be used until the next enrollment period.
(Ord. 1701 § 2, 2009)
Under no circumstances will the delivery and application of available emergency medical services and ambulance transportation be delayed or refused based upon whether or not a person is a FireMed member or can demonstrate an ability to pay.
(Ord. 1701 § 2, 2009)
A.
Determination of eligibility for an exemption from or reduction of fee for services by persons claiming a hardship is available upon application to the police chief or designee for a reduction of charges. The police chief or designee will take into account the availability of insurance, government assistance programs and total household income. Based upon his or her findings he or she may reduce the charges or exempt a user from charges.
B.
In the event that a third party requests paramedic or emergency medical service for a person who is believed to be experiencing a medical emergency, and that person declines assistance from the paramedics and/or La Habra Ambulance, there shall be no charge made for FireMed service.
(Ord. 1701 § 2, 2009)
Revenues derived from the FireMed program shall be used to improve and maintain the emergency medical services and/or ambulance services provided by or through the city of La Habra.
(Ord. 1701 § 2, 2009)
The FireMed program may be canceled by a majority vote of the La Habra city council. If the council chooses to terminate the FireMed program prior to the new program year, the city may, at its option, refund membership fees back to FireMed members on a prorated basis. The city shall provide thirty days written notice to FireMed members prior to program termination.
(Ord. 1701 § 2, 2009)