COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Office of Public Safety Communications

DATE:

March 19, 2010

BOARD MEETING DATE:

April 13, 2010

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Jaime D. Young, Public Safety Communications Director

SUBJECT:

Agreement for 911 Communications Services for City of South San Francisco Fire Department

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a resolution authorizing the President of the Board of Supervisors to execute an agreement between the County of San Mateo and the City of South San Francisco for public safety communications services commencing October 5, 2009 for a five year term through October 4, 2014, with a total payment not to exceed $122,413 for the first year of service.

BACKGROUND:

The County of San Mateo and the City of South San Francisco (“City”) have had an agreement for the provision of 911 communications/dispatch services for fire suppression and medical dispatching since 2004. The contract expired in October 2009. Under the terms of that agreement, Public Safety Communications provides dispatching services to both first line fire apparatus, the two Rescue Ambulances and provides medical priority call taking (EMD) for the City. Contract negotiations, timing of local Council Meetings, Board of Supervisors meetings and the return of the approved contract to the County contributed to the delay in getting this Agreement to the Board of Supervisors. The South San Francisco City Council approved this agreement on

January 27, 2010.

DISCUSSION:

The City of South San Francisco has the unique position of being the only City in the County to have exclusive operating rights for the provision of ambulance delivery. The Fire Department operates two ambulances within the city boundaries and on occasion renders mutual aid to the rest of the county when requested. Because of this operation, the City desires an exclusive communications agreement between the County and City in order to carryout ambulance and fire suppression operations specific to their community’s needs.

Under the terms and conditions of this agreement, Public Safety Communications (PSC) will dispatch all fire and EMS first responders on a full-time basis, 24 hour a day, seven day a week. In addition to communications/dispatch services, Public Safety Communications will provide supervisory personnel 24 hours a day, seven days a week, management overhead and public safety systems oversight and maintenance. The agreement includes a pro-rata share of services and supply costs. Fees for this service total $122,413 for the first year of service. Increases for succeeding years under this contract will be determined by the Bay Area CPI or negotiated labor increases, whichever is greater. The rate reimbursed to the County fully recovers costs for the percentage of workload South San Francisco represents.

The fees and term of this contract were negotiated and approved by the City prior to the County’s efforts to review and propose fee schedule modifications. Adjustments pursuant to pending modified fee schedule will be made when the contract is renewed.

County Counsel has reviewed and approved the recommended Agreement and Resolution as to legal form.

Approval of this Agreement contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 community outcome of Healthy Community by ensuring that efficient and prompt 911 communications services are rendered to the citizens and visitors of South San Francisco, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Performance Measure(s):

Measure

FY 2008-09
Actual

FY 2009-10
Projected

Percent of high priority calls dispatched within established time frames:

• Fire

• Medical

94%

94%

91%

87%

FISCAL IMPACT:

Fees collected under this agreement are $122,413 for the first year of service. Increases for the remaining four years of this Agreement will be determined by the Bay Area CPI or negotiated labor increases, which ever is greater. The rate reimbursed to the County fully recovers costs for the percentage of workload South San Francisco represents. There is no increase of Net County Cost during the term of this Agreement.