Contra Costa EMS Seeks Public Input on Emergency-Responder Study

The Contra Costa Emergency Medical Care Committee is holding a special meeting April 9 in Martinez to get feedback from the public on a draft study of the county's emergency medical services (EMS) system.

The "EMS Modernization Project Report" by consultants Fitch and Associates, funded by Contra Costa Health Services' Emergency Medical Services Division, analyzes ways to continue reliable delivery of quality emergency and medical transportation services in Contra Costa County.

Fitch and Associates wants feedback from the public, as well as health care and emergency medical services providers, including local fire departments, ambulance operators and hospitals. The Emergency Medical Care Committee includes appointed representatives of various county stakeholders.

In December 2012, the Board of Supervisors directed the Emergency Medical Services Division to evaluate the county's emergency medical services system and to report its findings and make recommendations. 

The study comes as emergency medical services providers, including fire departments, ambulance operators and hospitals, are facing significant financial challenges while caring for an increasing number of patients. 

The report is part of the initial process for preparing a request for proposal for ambulance services that needs to be completed by June 2015. 

The April 9 meeting gives the public and service-providers a forum to offer feedback before a final version of the study is presented to the Board of Supervisors in May. 

The public comment period on the draft study will be open until 5 p.m. on April 18.

The meeting is 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9, at the Board of Supervisors Chambers, 651 Pine St., Martinez. 

The meeting will be broadcast live on Contra Costa Television (CCTV).

To read the draft study and to learn how to submit written public comments, visit cchealth.org/ems/system-review.php