Agenda - 04-10-2007-6c - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 In reviewing services for the 2007 racing season, which began on March 10, 2007, several changes have been identified to reduce the costs for the Speedway. For Law Enforcement, the Sheriff has determined that the private security officers employed by the Speedway provide an adequate level of immediate response, and that any further response necessary can be initiated through a call to 9-1-1. By utilizing the existing network of Deputy Sheriffs in the County, there is no cost to the Speedway for dedicated law enforcement personnel on scene. For Fire Protection, the Fire Marshal and Fire Department reviewed the arrangements, and determined that the Fire Department is not needed on scene during the practice sessions, but only once the gates are opened to the public. This change reduces the hours that the fire department spends on scene by approximately fifty percent (50%), which results in a significant cost reduction. For Emergency Medical services (as summarized in bullet form below), the Speedway has assumed responsibility for the initial on-track assessment of drivers after crashes, and the County and Speedway now operate on a single radio frequency which improves coordination. The improved coordination has eliminated the need for a senior medical officer to be present at racing events. The presence of Speedway first responders during the practice sessions has enabled a change for EMS similar to that implemented by the Fire Department. EMS units now arrive at the Speedway when the main gate is opened so that they are in place for the start of racing. This change is anticipated to reduce costs by nearly fifty percent (50%) compared to last year's racing season. Simultaneously, County staff has been working to review the established special event coverage fees that were adopted as part of last year's County budget. Those fees were based on antiquated formulae and attempted to achieve full cost recovery at the highest individual salaries in the class of employees. Staff has recalculated fees and proposes reducing the established paramedic fee from $75 per hour to $55 per hour, increasing the established extra EMT fee from $30 per hour to $40 per hour, maintaining the fee for an ambulance with two EMTs at $90 per hour, and establishing a new fee for an ambulance with a paramedic and EMT at a rate of $100 per hour. The fee adjustment equates to a fifteen percent reduction in the total hourly rate to the Speedway based on the proposed staffing configuration for events. Staff recommends that the adjusted fees be adopted for speedway coverage for the entire 2007 racing season (including the two events which have already occurred), and will also include the adjusted fees for all other events in the 2007-08 budget process later this spring. To summarize the proposed changes for Medical Coverage: • Using Speedway personnel for on-track response /practice (reduces hours and cost) • Transferring management role to Speedway (removes County Senior Officer and cost) • Reducing hours-on-scene to racing events (reduces hours and cost) • Reducing hourly fees (reduces cost) During discussions with Speedway Management, it was also requested that the Speedway be allowed to use independent contract personnel to play a larger role in the provision of Emergency Medical coverage for events. Under the County's Emergency Medical Services System Plan and the County's EMS and Rescue Franchise Ordinance, it appears that such an arrangement would require the Speedway to obtain a franchise for First Responder services. County Staff has provided information to Speedway staff about the requirements for obtaining a County franchise to provide first-responder services at Speedway events. County Staff remains willing to assist the Speedway in obtaining franchising to operate as part of the county's EMS System.