TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an Affiliation Agreement for a period of five years, and all necessary amendments including term extensions, with OCEMT Corporation for the Long Beach Fire Department to provide supervised field service experience for Emergency Medical Service Program students. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to enter into an Affiliation Agreement with the OCEMT Corporation (OCEMT) for the Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) to provide supervised field service experience for OCEMT Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Program students. OCEMT provides a curriculum for Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic training, which includes a field internship wherein a student is assigned to a paramedic unit and functions as a paramedic under the supervision of two licensed paramedics. This agreement with OCEMT will allow Long Beach Firefighters to serve their required field internships with the LBFD while enrolled in the OCEMT training program. In addition, the LBFD will allow field internships for OCEMT students from other fire departments as space permits.
The LBFD has been participating in similar affiliation agreements with other institutions for many years. The increased demand for Paramedics statewide has resulted in EMS providers competing for limited spots. Adding OCEMT as a training partner through this Affiliation Agreement will help the LBFD to replenish the current critically low Paramedic staffing levels within the department.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Arturo D. Sanchez on July 14, 2022 and by Budget Analysis Officer Greg Sorensen on July 15, 2022.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on August 2, 2022, to ensure that the affiliation agreement is fully executed prior to the August 15, 2022 start date of the next training class.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended action. This recommendation has a minimal staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
XAVIER ESPINO
FIRE CHIEF
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER