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2 <br />staff about the requirements for obtaining a county franchise to provide. first-responder services <br />at Speedway events. Until the details of such an arrangement can be worked out, County Staff <br />has recommended that the County continue to provide all Emergency Medical Coverage for <br />Speedway events under contract with the Speedway. <br />North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services Rules and Regulations identify the <br />County's role in providing or ensuring the provision of Emergency Medical Services. The <br />County's Franchise Ordinance and EMS System Plan provide a framework for other agencies to <br />assist in providing services. Participation in the provision of medical services is subject to <br />review by County staff and requires the approval of the Board of County Commissioners. The <br />County maintains responsibility for all the service provided in the county, whether it is directly <br />provided by the County or provided by another entity. <br />Speedway Management also suggested during the February 7 meeting that they may request a <br />combination of fee reductions and other arrangements to offset some of the direct contract cost <br />for County EMS coverage. Details of such requests have not yet been provided to County staff, <br />so no analysis of potential costs or service implications is available. <br />There are currently sixteen (16) racing days scheduled this season. The recommended <br />coverage staff consists of two ambulances, one paramedic, three emergency medical <br />technicians, and a senior officer at each race. The ambulances are staffed with either County <br />EMT's or Squad members and the paramedic and senior officer are County staff. The fees for <br />this coverage are based on worst-case overtime cost for each position class and an amount to <br />offset wear and tear on EMS equipment and vehicles. <br />The established fees are $75 per hour for a Paramedic with equipment, $30 per hour for an <br />ambulance vehicle, $30 per hour for each EMT, and $40 per hour for the senior officer. During <br />racing events in calendar year 2006, the Speedway was not charged any fees for the senior <br />officer, who began staffing racing events midway through the season in an effort to improve the <br />coordination of resources. The contract also calls for payment of an additional one hour of travel <br />time per person per event above the actual time on scene at the Speedway. <br />The racing season is advertised to begin on March 10, 2007. <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: The established fees are based on full cost recovery at an overtime <br />staffing rate, and should offset the personnel and vehicle use costs. Speedway coverage has <br />an impact on the administrative workload for both the Emergency Management and Revenue <br />Departments. Any reduction in fees or alternative arrangements may result in the transfer of <br />direct County cost for EMS coverage from the Speedway to the regular operating budget for the <br />County EMS, which may reduce the effectiveness of countywide EMS operations. <br />RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the attached <br />contract and authorize the Chair to sign the contract for providing EMS services at established <br />fees based on full-cost recovery, contingent upon final review by staff and the County Attorney.