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DATE: |
October 19, 2021 |
12 |
SUBJECT
Title
COUNTY FIRE-EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES: EXEMPTION FROM SPARE WHEEL REQUIREMENTS FOR SAN DIEGO COUNTY AMBULANCES (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
California Code of Regulations, Title 13, Section 1103 requires ambulances to carry spare wheels with inflated tires of appropriate load rating and tools for wheel changes, while Section 1108 allows an exemption from these requirements upon a showing of good cause. Additionally, California Vehicle Code Section 2512 mandates an exemption for a period of not more than two years, upon request from the Board of Supervisors for reasons of public health and safety. Exemption from the spare wheel and tool requirements enables ambulances to carry additional medical equipment and supplies.
The Board previously requested exemptions on October 15, 2019 (6), which will expire November 26, 2021. Today’s action requests continued exemption from the spare wheel requirements for ambulance service providers operating in San Diego County for the period of November 27, 2021 to November 26, 2023.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
1. Approve, for good cause and in the interest of public health and safety, the action to request for exemption from the ambulance spare wheel and tools requirements for the period of November 27, 2021 to November 26, 2023 for the following San Diego County ambulance agencies, in accordance with California Vehicle Code, Section 2512, and California Code of Regulations, Title 13, Sections 1108(a) and (b).
a. American Medical Response, Mercy Medical Transportation, Inc., and Falck Mobile Health Corporation.
2. Authorize the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to forward the Board’s request for exemption to: Department of California Highway Patrol, Enforcement Services Division, P.O. Box 942898, Sacramento, CA 94298-0001, Attention: Commercial Vehicles Section.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The San Diego County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Office is committed to assuring that equity is considered in policy development, EMS resource availability, and EMS service provision in all areas where the County has jurisdictional influence and/or authority. Today’s requested action removes unnecessary barriers for ambulance service providers to optimize space available in ambulance units for efficient and effective emergency medical service delivery in the County of San Diego.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommendations.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
This board action was presented to the Emergency Medical Care Committee as an informational item at the September 23, 2021 meeting.
BACKGROUND
California Code of Regulations, Title 13, Sections 1103(e) and (f) require that ambulances carry spare wheels with inflated tires of appropriate load rating and tools for wheel changes. Title 13, Section 1108(a) grants the Department of California Highway Patrol (CHP) discretionary authority to exempt ambulances from the requirements upon a showing of good cause. Section 1108(b) authorizes exemptions mandated by California Vehicle Code Section 2512 upon request from the Board of Supervisors, in the interest of public health and safety. Section 1108 limits exemptions granted under these sections to a two-year period.
Exemption from the spare wheel requirements allows ambulances to carry additional medical supplies and equipment necessary for patient care. Should an ambulance experience a flat tire, the closest available back-up ambulance is dispatched, minimizing delay in the transport of a patient.
The Board’s most recent request for exemptions from the spare wheel requirements expires on November 27, 2021. The conditions creating the need for exemptions have been reviewed, and continued exemptions are necessary for public health and safety. Today’s action, if approved, would seek to continue the exemption from the spare wheel requirements for ambulance service providers operating in San Diego County for the period of November 27, 2021 to November 26, 2023, enabling three ambulance service agencies responding to emergency medical calls to carry additional supplies to support patient care.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s proposed action supports the Building Better Health initiative in the County of San Diego’s 2021-2026 Strategic Plan by ensuring ambulance providers optimize space available in ambulance units to store patient care equipment and supplies in order to maximize emergency medical service delivery.
Respectfully submitted,
HELEN N. ROBBINS-MEYER
Chief Administrative Officer
ATTACHMENT(S)