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Board advances change allowing some nonemergency interfacility transports to be staffed at physician‑directed levels
Summary
The board approved first reading of an update to the county EMS ordinance to permit nonemergency interfacility transports to be staffed at the level the physician responsible for the patient orders (including basic life support), a change intended to keep ALS ambulances available for 9‑1‑1 calls; the measure was continued to May 19 for final adoption.
Emma Owens, a principal management analyst in the Chief Administrative Office, presented a proposed update to the county Emergency Medical Services ordinance (Ord. 5263) to align local code with 2025 updates to the California Code of Regulations and to allow permitted providers to staff nonemergency interfacility transports (IFTs) at the level the physician specifies, including basic life support (BLS). Owens said the change is intended to preserve ALS ambulances for 9‑1‑1 responses and reduce deployment of paramedic crews on nonemergency transfers.
Ryan Wagner, executive director of the Cal Tahoe Joint Powers Authority, told the board he supports the approach and urged coordination with hospitals (Marshall Hospital was specifically mentioned as a potential partner for communication and transfer needs). Wagner said permitted outside agencies have to be state‑permitted and county‑permitted to provide IFTs and that allowing properly permitted BLS transfers can help hospital flow without materially affecting local 9‑1‑1 availability.
Board action: supervisors moved to approve introduction and waive full reading, then continued the matter to May 19 for final passage. The board recorded a 5–0 vote in favor of moving the ordinance forward for adoption.
Representative quote: "This change will help preserve critical resources within the 9‑1‑1 system," Owens said.
Next steps: staff will return on May 19 for final adoption; if adopted the ordinance would be effective 30 days after final passage.
