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ORD- 2012 -057 <br />COPY <br />ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: November 20, 2012 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. 7 -b <br />SUBJECT: Implementation Strategy from the Emergency Services Workgroup on <br />Recommendations from the Comprehensive Assessment of Emergency <br />Medical Services & 911 /Communications Center Operations Study, and <br />Approval of Budget Amendment #4 -C <br />DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) No <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />F. R. Montes de Oca, 245 -6100 <br />Michael Talbert, 245 -2308 <br />183 <br />PURPOSE: To receive an implementation strategy from the Emergency Services Workgroup <br />regarding recommendations included in the Comprehensive Assessment of Emergency Medical <br />Services & 911 /Communications Center Operations Study, approve Budget Amendment #4 -C <br />for $414,500 in the current fiscal year, and incorporate the recommendations into the Budget & <br />Capital Investment Plan (CIP) process for Fiscal Year 2013 -14. <br />BACKGROUND: The Orange County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) provides pre - <br />hospital care and transport to residents and visitors throughout the County. Originated from <br />volunteer services, Orange County EMS began providing advanced life support ambulances in <br />the 1980's. EMS is a branch of the Orange County Emergency Services Department and is <br />staffed by dedicated paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians around the clock. The <br />EMS branch is the largest and highest - profile group within the department providing emergency <br />response, patient care and patient transport from 400 square miles covering densely - populated <br />urban settings to rural areas throughout the County. In addition to responding to 10,700 calls <br />annually, EMS must be able to address extraordinary events such as multi - casualty incidents, <br />large sporting events, stock car races and mass gatherings, assist at fires, evacuations and <br />other disaster situations affecting public safety. <br />The Orange County 911 Center is the public safety answering point for residents to access <br />emergency services agencies. It originated in the former Orange County Sheriff's Office at <br />Columbia and Rosemary Streets in Chapel Hill. It is a branch of Orange County Emergency <br />Services and is staffed by dedicated professionals around the clock. <br />On December 13, 2011 the Board discussed the Emergency Medical System Delivery and <br />E911 Communications Center improvements. There was consensus that the County needed to <br />develop a strategic plan to improve the County's Emergency Management Services Delivery <br />System and E911 Communications Center. The Charge for the ESW included reviewing <br />alternatives and making recommendations for the following: <br />