The declared purpose of this chapter is to reduce life loss and disability by implementing a program funding additional paramedic units in order to meet current response time standards. A fee for service and voluntary membership program is desired to meet these goals by offering a mechanism for residents and businesses to cap their emergency medical service and ambulance transportation costs while supporting the expansion of the City's paramedic system.
(3026-2/90)
Unless a different meaning is apparent from the context or is specified elsewhere in the code, the following definitions shall be used:
Advanced Life Support (ALS).
Any advanced life support medical treatment performed by paramedics (EMT-P) outside of a hospital. This treatment shall follow the current "Advanced Life Support Treatment Guidelines" as specified by the Orange County Emergency Medical Services Agency.
Ambulance.
The designated ground ambulance service, licensed by the State of California and the County of Orange, which provide services for the Huntington Beach Fire Department.
Basic Life Support (BLS).
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 medical emergency.
FireMed Program.
A voluntary membership plan where its members shall prepay at a fixed price, the uninsured portion of emergency medical and ambulance services provided by the Huntington Beach Fire Department, or its equivalent.
FireMed Services.
Those services provided by the Huntington Beach Fire Department and its designated ambulance provider related to treatment and transportation provided during the course of an emergency medical incident.
Member.
Residents of Huntington Beach households, resident businesses and their employees, who have registered with the City and prepaid the voluntary membership fee.
(3026-2/90, 3616-10/03)
The Fire Chief or his or her designee shall be responsible for the development of rules, policies and procedures relating to implementation and administration of the FireMed Program. The Fire Chief shall report on a yearly basis to the City Manager and the City Council on the status of the FireMed Program. The report shall include a full financial statement which sets forth the program's financial status.
(3026-2/90)
The FireMed Program is open to residents, businesses and employees of non-member businesses located in the City of Huntington Beach.
(3026-2/90)
Each resident and business of the City will have the opportunity to join the FireMed Program at any time throughout the year.
A. 
Persons receiving a residential utility billing from the City may enroll in the FireMed Program and place the monthly charge on their bill.
B. 
Households, resident businesses, and employees of resident businesses not receiving a utility bill may enroll in the FireMed Program and establish an annual bill.
(3026-2/90, 3616-10/03)
FireMed members shall receive the following benefits by joining the voluntary membership program:
A. 
If the member is insured, prepayment of the uninsured portion of:
1. 
ALS charges
2. 
BLS charges
3. 
Emergency ambulance transportation.
B. 
If the member is uninsured, prepayment of 20% of:
1. 
ALS charges
2. 
BLS charges
3. 
Emergency ambulance transportation.
Member benefits may be added and modified at the discretion of the Fire Chief.
(3026-2/90, 3616-10/03)
Advanced life support, basic life support and ambulance fees are hereby authorized and shall be charged in connection with emergency medical care and ambulance services provided by the Huntington Beach Fire Department.
A. 
The "fee for services" shall be a user fee designed to recover costs associated with the delivery of emergency medical care and ambulance services. Such fees shall be based on:
1. 
Emergencies requiring basic life support (BLS) services; and
2. 
Emergencies requiring advanced life support (ALS) services; and
3. 
Emergencies requiring ambulance transportation to the nearest medical facility best suited to meet the patient's emergency medical needs.
B. 
The "voluntary membership fee - FireMed" shall be a membership offered to Huntington Beach residents and resident businesses on a voluntary basis for the purpose of allowing its members to prepay, at a fixed price, the uninsured portion of emergency ambulance and emergency medical charges for services provided by the Huntington Beach Fire Department.
1. 
Payment of the voluntary fee by households shall entitle membership to permanent residents of that household, related or not. Household guests who receive emergency medical care at a residential FireMed address will be regarded as a FireMed member.
2. 
Fees paid by resident businesses and employees of non-member resident businesses entitle membership to the employee only. Customers, patrons, visitors or others using the facilities of such businesses shall be charged directly for paramedic and ambulance services.
(3026-2/90, 3616-10/03)
Implementation of user fees for paramedic services shall begin July 1, 1990. The Fire Chief shall be authorized to administer the FireMed Program beginning 30 days after adoption of this chapter.
(3026-2/90)
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.
(3026-2/90)
Determination for an exemption or reduction of fee for services or the voluntary membership fee by persons claiming a hardship shall be determined by the Fire Chief.
(3026-2/90, 3616-10/03)
Revenues derived from the FireMed Program shall be used to improve and maintain the emergency medical services provided by the Huntington Beach Fire Department.
(3026-2/90)
The FireMed Program may be cancelled by a majority vote of the Huntington Beach City Council. If the Council chooses to terminate the 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 be obligated to provide 30 days' written notice to FireMed members prior to program termination.
(3026-2/90)