Title
Approve and authorize the Director of Health, the Assistant Director of Health, or the Emergency Medical Services Director, to execute the California Mutual Aid Region II Intra-Region Cooperative Agreement for Emergency Medical and Health Disaster Assistance.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Approve and authorize the Director of Health, the Assistant Director of Health, or the Emergency Medical Services Director, to execute the California Mutual Aid Region II Intra-Region Cooperative Agreement for Emergency Medical and Health Disaster Assistance.
SUMMARY:
The Health Department seeks authorization to execute the California Mutual Aid Region II Intra-Region Cooperative Agreement for Emergency Medical and Health Disaster Assistance. This regional cooperative agreement is consistent with the State of California Emergency Plan, Emergency Support Function 8 Annex (ESF 8), California Public Health and Medical Emergency Operations Manual (EOM), and the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS). This regional cooperative agreement would allow the County of Monterey to either request or provide emergency medical and/or public health services in the event of a medical/health disaster or catastrophic event that exceeds the capability of the County of Monterey or another participating county, as well as qualify for federal reimbursement.
DISCUSSION:
There exists a great potential for a medical/health disaster or catastrophic event capable of producing mass casualties that overwhelm local ability to contain and control. In addition, recent rulings at the state and federal level require regional medical health mutual aid agreements to be in place to qualify for reimbursement of federal and state disaster funds. Currently no agreement between counties governs this sharing of resources or financial responsibility for reimbursement.
Therefore, the jurisdictions within California Mutual Aid Region II, comprised of the counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Monterey, Napa, San Benito, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, and the City of Berkeley, have collectively agreed to enter into the California Mutual Aid Region II Intra-Region Cooperative Agreement for Emergency Medical and Health Disaster Assistance.
Under the California Mutual Aid Region II Intra-Region Cooperative Agreement, a participating Mutual Aid Region II county may request mutual aid resources in the form of personnel, equipment and supplies to meet extraordinary demands for emergency medical and public health services. An assisting county may provide such resources under this Agreement for which cost recovery can be claimed from the requesting county. The OES Region II Regional Disaster Medical Health Coordinator (RDMHC), selected in accordance with the California Health and Safety Code, Division 2.5, Section 1797.152 (a), is responsible for regional coordination of medical and public health assistance within OES Region II when so requested by an affected County of Region II.
The California Mutual Aid Region II Intra-Region Cooperative Agreement is consistent with the State of California Emergency Plan, Emergency Support Function 8 Annex (ESF 8), California Public Health and Medical Emergency Operations Manual (EOM), and the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS). Additionally, it is based on the Southern California model agreement and has been vetted over the last year with Region II Health Officers, Public Health and EMS Administrators.
The presence of an adopted cooperative regional agreement positions all jurisdictions that are involved in sending and receiving medical mutual aid to qualify for state and federal emergency funds and optimal reimbursement.
The regional cooperative agreement must be entered into by all parties without edits or changes to be recognized by State and Federal Agencies responsible for disaster and emergency fund reimbursement
This regional cooperative agreement is effective upon execution as to the jurisdictions that have agreements in place, and will become effective with other jurisdictions as those agreements are executed.
While this Board action is not directly in support of a Health Department strategic initiative, it is in support of one or more of the essential public health services, specifically: 4. Mobilize community partnerships and action to identify and solve health problems, and, 6. Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel has approved the Agreement to form.
FINANCING:
This Agreement will have no impact on the General Fund Contribution.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
☐Economic Development:
• Through collaboration, strengthen economic development to ensure a diversified and healthy economy.
☐Administration:
• Promote an organization that practices efficient and effective resource management and is recognized for responsiveness, strong customer orientation, accountability and transparency.
☒Health & Human Services:
• Improve health and quality of life through County supported policies, programs, and services; promoting access to equitable opportunities for healthy choices and healthy environments in collaboration with communities.
☐Infrastructure:
• Plan and develop a sustainable, physical infrastructure that improves the quality of life for County residents and supports economic development results.
☐Public Safety:
• Create a safe environment for people to achieve their potential, leading businesses and communities to thrive and grow by reducing violent crimes as well as crimes in general.
Prepared by: Teresa Rios, Management Analyst III, 7082
Approved by: Elsa Jimenez, Director of Health, 4526
Attachment:
The California Mutual Aid Region II Intra-Region Cooperative Agreement is on file with the Clerk of the Board.