SR-12-08-2015-3D
City Council
Report
City Council Regular Meeting: December 8, 2015
Agenda Item: 3.D
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Dennis Downs, Interim Fire Chief, Fire Department
Subject: Professional Services Agreement for Fire Department Medical Director
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Award RFP#55 to Walid Ghurabi, D.O., FACEP, to provide Medical Director
Services for the Fire Department;
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a professional service
agreement with Dr. Walid Ghurabi, in an amount not to exceed $126,000 for
three years, with two additional one-year renewal options in the amount of
$84,000, on the same terms and conditions for a total amount not to exceed
$210,000 over a five-year period, with future year funding contingent on Council
budget approval.
Executive Summary
As required by State regulation and the Los Angeles County Emergency Medical
Services Agency, the Santa Monica Fire Department (SMFD) is required to procure the
services of an agency Medical Director for the provision of Emergency Medical Services
(EMS) rendered by SMFD firefighter paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians
(EMTs). Staff recommends that Dr. Ghurabi provide medical director services for the
Fire Department. The services of the Medical Director would not exceed $42,000 per
year or $210,000 over a possible five-year period. The contract would be in effect for
three years with two additional one-year renewal options.
Discussion
There is a continuing need for a Fire Department Medical Director in order to meet the
State and County regulations and guidelines for the provision of Emergency Medical
Services rendered by SMFD firefighter paramedics and EMTs. The services of the
Medical Director include: providing medical expertise to enhance SMFD emergency
medical services, evaluating compliance with the legal documenta tion requirements of
patient care, providing medical oversight of the utilization of Standing Field Treatment
Protocols (SFTP), monitoring the controlled substances programs, and reviewing the
medical components of the Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) program. The Medical
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Director also provides standing orders for the EMS Nurse Educator to administer
vaccines to public safety personnel. The Medical Director evaluates adherence of the
Fire Department EMS program to medical policies, procedures and protocols of the Los
Angeles County EMS Agency in collaboration with the EMS Nurse Educator.
Vendor/Consultant Selection
On October 5, 2015, the City published Notices Inviting Proposals for the professional
services of a Fire Department Medical Director as requested by the Fire Department, in
accordance with City specifications. The request for proposal was posted on the City's
on-line bidding site, and notices were advertised in the Santa Monica Daily Press in
accordance with City Charter and Municipal Code provisions. Notifications went out to
71 vendors, of which 10 vendors downloaded the proposal. One proposal was received
and publicly opened on October 22, 2015. The proposal, from Dr. Ghurabi, was
evaluated based on the criteria in SMMC 2.24.073, including training, credentials and
experience, demonstrated ability to perform the role of Medical Director, price, and
compliance with City specifications. Dr. Ghurabi is Board Certified in emergency
medicine and currently engaged in the clinical practice of emergency medicine at
UCLA-Santa Monica Medical Center. He has extensive experience in the field of EMS,
and has served as the SMFD Medical Director for the past 15 years. Dr. Ghurabi
maintains his primary office at the Santa Monica UCLA hospital’s emergency room;
members routinely visit him at his office while attending to a patient. He is available via
phone 24/7, attends monthly Department meetings, and has ongoing email
correspondence with members of the Department. Based on these criteria, Dr.
Ghurabi is recommended as the best qualified individual to provide Medical Director
Services for the Fire Department in accordance with City specifications and scope of
work.
Staff conducted a competitive RFP process since other medical providers deliver similar
services to other fire departments within the region. Purchasing conducted additional
outreach to vendors who downloaded the bid to see why they did not submit a proposal;
however at this time no responses were received.
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Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
The contract to be awarded to Dr. Ghurabi is for an amount not to exceed $210,000.
Funds are available in the FY 2015-16 budget in the Fire Department. The agreement
will be charged to account 01312.555010. Future year funding is contingent on Co uncil
budget approval.
Prepared By: Terese Toomey, Principal Administrative Analyst
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Reference:
Agreement No. 10230
(CCS)