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Merced County extends ambulance contract, directs EMS administrator and LEMSA to draft surge policy with Merced city
Summary
The Merced County Board of Supervisors approved an extension of the county's ambulance contract and directed the EMS administrator and the Local Emergency Medical Services Agency (LEMSA) to work with the city of Merced to develop a surge policy after officials raised concerns that relying on mutual aid could leave critical needs unmet.
The Merced County Board of Supervisors voted to approve an extension of the county ambulance contract (agenda item 10) and directed the EMS administrator and the Local Emergency Medical Services Agency (LEMSA) to consult with the city of Merced on a surge policy to address periods of unusually high demand.
Board members said mutual aid alone could leave critical needs unmet during large incidents or simultaneous local surges, and they asked staff to clarify when and how additional resources could be deployed into the county’s exclusive operating area (EOA).
The board’s action follows testimony from Troy Smith, identified in the meeting as the CEO of Semza Riggs, the current ambulance provider under the EOA. Smith said the company’s request for the extension “is consistent…
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