Agenda - 10-03-2013 - 1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Comprehensive Assessment of Emergency Medical Services 98 and 911 /Communications Center Operations Study Issue: EMS Base Facilities Recommendations: R -8. Prepare a detailed Space Needs Assessment that addresses the essential building and site requirements to accommodate a stand - alone, functional, code compliant EMS base facility that can serve as a prototype for all future facilities. The recommendation suggests that the County contract for professional services, working directly with the County and EMS personnel, to detail and document the space and site requirements for an EMS Base facility. Once the essential space needs are identified various options can be refined based upon the specific type(s) of facilities needed; for example a station that would accommodate a single ambulance, a station that would accommodate multiple ambulances, etc. The benefit of such an assessment and the documentation of the specific space and site requirements could serve the County in multiple ways; • As a conceptual "pattern" it could be utilized as the prototype facility concept to be built at multiple locations. • As a "test template ", were a building identified in a strategic location, the information detailed with this document could be utilized to evaluate the building in question as to its applicability for reuse as an EMS facility. R -9. Identify a minimum of nine (9) strategic locations, preferably no less than one (1) location within each major zone previously identified, for the potential location in each of a future EMS base. The criticality of the location of EMS base facilities in an area as large, and as varied as Orange County cannot be over emphasized. As alluded to in R -8 above, while the "ideal" situation would be available property on which a "build -to- suit" new building could be located, the eventual option that presents itself may in fact be an existing building that may be appropriate for reuse as an EMS facility. Regardless of the approach, the previous EMS discussion of issues made clear the need for these facilities in locations in addition to only the most concentrated areas of population in the County. R 10. The County should purchase /obtain identified sites (and /or buildings) for development. The completed Space Needs Assessment suggested in R -8 should provide the criteria for evaluating the potential of any site or building considered. R 11. Procure EMS base planning and design services. Depending upon the level of detail provided in the referenced Space Needs Assessment, planning and design of a single EMS base facility could take 4 -6 months, particularly considering the various regulatory requirements imposed on "public building" projects. R 12. Advertise, bid, and commence construction on designated EMS base facilities. Once the design is completed and approved, the bidding and construction of this type of building could take 6 -8 months depending upon whether it is to be new construction on a "clean" site or renovation and a building addition to an existing structure. Of course any number of additional options (and benefits) could be realized if for example, a single contractor (or designer) was selected to do more than one facility at a time; i.e. a "package deal ". Solutions for Local Government, Inc. 54