1. Ambulance RFP Process Town Hall March 2019 Jim Clark EMS Administrator
March 2019

2. W E L C O M E
©2019 THE ABARIS GROUP, All rights Reserved.

3. Hosted by The Abaris Group
EMS consulting firm since 1989
Principals have years of professional and consulting EMS experience
Provide objective, third-party management for the ambulance service procurement process
Bill Bullard, MBA, EMT
Senior Vice President
The Abaris Group

4. How should ambulance services be provided??4
Summary of Purpose
Gather input, information, and opinions to share with Merced County EMS leadership for use in the development of ambulance services’ request for proposals (RFP)
How should ambulance services be provided??

5. Frequently Asked Questions5
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the County running an ambulance bidding process now?
The County conducts the procurement process with community input and advice to assure that the most responsive and responsible bidder is selected to provide service to the community
How often does ambulance service go out for bid?
The State requires regular bids; at least every 10 years... unless the current ambulance provider was established prior to 1980 – when counties became responsible for ambulance service

6. Ambulance RFP Timeline6
Ambulance RFP Timeline
2018
County identifies need for New Ambulance RFP
2nd Qtr 2019
Release Ambulance RFP
4th Qtr 2018 – 1st Qtr 2019
Abaris Group Hired
Assess System
Conduct Interviews
Next Gen EMS Sessions
2020
New provider implements service

7. 7
Current EMS Service
Fire departments and ambulance provider respond to medical emergencies… for non- emergencies, sometimes it is just the ambulance
Ambulances have response times that must be met at least 90% of the time
Fire stations are better located to respond faster than ambulances; firefighters are typically trained as first responders or EMTs and can provide initial treatment until the ambulance arrives – once care is turned over to the ambulance crew, firefighters are immediately available for the next medical or fire call

8. EMS Service Delivery Needs8
EMS Service Delivery Needs
Ensure ambulance coverage throughout Merced County
Deliver quality pre-hospital care
Provide economically viable transport service

9. EMS Next Generation Task Force

10. EMS Next Gen Objective
Define New Components of the EMS System for the Next Ambulance RFP

11. EMS Next Gen Mission
RIGHT
Resource Time Patient Care Destination Cost

12. Best Practice Presentations
Clinical Outcome-Based Care
Resource Management
Mental Health
Consolidated Dispatch
Resource Access Program
High System User Diversion

13. Best Practices Feedback

14. Possible Impacts on RFP
New Performance Standards
Fewer EMS Responses and/or Transports
Provide within the Next Contract
Require Collaboration on Future Innovation

15. Your thoughts, questions, concerns, accolades?
Time to Hear From You… 15
Your thoughts, questions, concerns, accolades?

16. Time to Hear From You… 16
How do you feel about your current ambulance service?
Have you, a family member, a neighbor required service? How was that experience?
Any suggestions regarding the different ways to deliver emergency medical services? For example,
If you called 911 for medical assistance (e.g., chest pain, broken leg), what type of provider could you see responding depending on the nature of the emergency?
How about the type of vehicle? (e.g., ground ambulance, medical transport vehicle)

17. Not Last Chance... 17 Feedback will be provided to County leadership
RFP will be posted later this year and the community can offer additional comments
Once released, a pre-proposal conference regarding the RFP process offers another opportunity to ask questions/provide feedback

18. Thank You for coming! Bill Bullard, MBA Senior Vice President
The Abaris Group
Jim Clark
EMS Administrator
Merced County