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County EMS agency presents 2024 report, shows coordinated response to King City mass casualty incident; funding shortfall highlighted
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Summary
Monterey County’s EMS agency presented its 2024 annual report June 24, emphasizing system coordination during the March 3 King City mass-casualty incident and warning that primary local revenue has not kept pace with rising costs.
Monterey County’s Emergency Medical Services Agency presented its 2024 annual report June 24, using a short documentary-style video of the March 3 King City mass-casualty incident to show the countywide coordination among dispatch, ambulance providers, fire agencies, the county trauma center and the medevac helicopter service.
The presentation emphasized EMS system functions beyond ambulances: training, protocols, quality improvement, inter-hospital communications (ReadyNet), and multi-agency drills. Dr. John Burley, the county’s EMS medical director, said the King City incident — which resulted in multiple patients transported to Natividad Medical Center and Medevac transfers — tested the system and demonstrated the need for continuous coordination and training.
Funding concerns: Supervisors pressed agency staff about revenue. Teresa Rios, EMS director, said the primary funding source is CSA 74 (a parcel special tax established in 2001) and that it has not been raised since creation; revenue has not kept pace with rising operational costs. The agency has also seen declines in some state-allocated “Maddy” funds used for trauma/aircraft support. Rios said grants and a newly implemented aircraft-provider fee are part of a diversification strategy, but staff will return with a fuller funding plan. Dr. Burley said the CSA 74 parcel tax’s fixed rate and lack of state funding for EMS oversight functions were limits the agency now faces.
Board response: Supervisors thanked EMS staff and field providers for the King City response; several emphasized the need to pursue sustained local funding. Supervisor Little (District 3) urged targeted outreach to legislative offices, noting uncertainty in federal and state appropriations for future homeless/agreement programs and the possible loss of grant streams. Supervisor Askew suggested the county seek higher reimbursement from institutional users (for example, prisons) that he said have relied on local ambulances for emergency services.
Board action: The board voted to accept and approve the EMS 2024 report. EMS staff told the board they will return with a detailed funding proposal, including a presentation about CSA 74 and options to modernize revenue so the agency can cover increasing responsibilities and costs.
Speakers quoted: Dr. John Burley (EMS medical director): "An EMS system is so much more than that... Paramedics and EMTs need to be certified... policies and protocols need to be developed and updated on a regular basis." Teresa Rios (EMS director): "The CSA 74... has not increased since [2001]; in order to increase it, it must go to a vote of the residents."
