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necessary to weigh the options and plan for an orderly transition as part of the budget year on <br />July 1, 2003. <br />Some of the options that to this point have been explored by staff include: <br />• Option 1 Continue the current service delivery and contract with the Squad. <br />• Option 2 Bring the EMS transportation function completely in-house under the <br />county's department of Emergency Management Services. <br />• Option 3 Privatize the EMS transportation function, through a formal RFP and multi- <br />yearcontracting. <br />• Option 4 Some combination of Options 1-3 <br />In light of recent communication from the Board of Directors that the Squad desires to transition <br />the primary responsibility for staffing the EMS transport component from the Squad to Orange <br />County, Option 1 will no longer be pursued. However, there is clearly interest and there appear <br />to be important future roles for the Squad to provide in other aspects of emergency service <br />provision such as rescue and EMS coverage for special events. The accompanying contract for <br />the period January 1 through June 30, 2003 reflects a gradually diminishing role for the Squad <br />in day-to-day EMS transport coverage. The major provisions of the agreement are identical to <br />the contract now in place, although the new contract contemplates possible reductions in the <br />monthly stipend to the Squad depending on how much cost the County may need to assume <br />(e.g. through wages for temporary staff the County may need to hire for shifts not covered by <br />the Squad) over the next six months. <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: The terms of the contract call for the County to reimburse the Squad in <br />the amount of $58,269.17 per month for the six months of the agreement, subject to possible <br />reductions outlined above. Funding to cover the contract is included in the FY 2002-03 County <br />operating budget. <br />RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the attached <br />contract with Orange EMS and Rescue Squad through June 30, 2003, subject to final review by <br />staff and the County Attorney. <br />