Satellite Beach approves consolidated medical director contract for EMS and community medic program

The Satellite Beach City Council on Aug. 20 approved an agreement naming EMS Medical Direction LLC as the city’s medical director for both the emergency medical services system and the Satellite Beach Community Medic program.

City staff told the council that Florida statute 401.265 requires an EMS agency to have a medical director to provide medical oversight, authorize prescriptions and set clinical protocols. Council discussion said the new agreement merges two prior contracts (EMS and the community medic program) into a single contract and aligns compensation with what the medical director already receives from other local agencies.

Council members discussed the contract’s scope and compensation. The contract documentation shown to council included a list of duties and responsibilities (the packet lists approximately two dozen items across oversight, protocol development, training and prescription authority). Council members asked for and were given a rationale for the change in fees: staff described an initial elevation in compensation to come into alignment with other agencies (an upward adjustment followed by a 3% annual increase in later years). The council also heard that Dr. Dudley provides protocols, training and an annual skills fair for paramedics and remains active as an emergency physician at Holmes Regional Medical Center; staff said she is available to the department and typically reachable by phone.

A motion to approve "agreement for medical director services for Satellite Beach emergency services system and Satellite Beach community medic program between the city of Satellite Beach and EMS Medical Direction LLC" was made and seconded and carried on a roll call. The meeting record shows the motion passed. No specific mover/second names were recorded in the transcript excerpt; the vote was recorded as affirmative by roll call.