Chapter 2.52
EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE COMMISSION

Sections:

2.52.010    Established—Statutory authority.

2.52.020    Membership.

2.52.030    Term of office.

2.52.040    Organization and procedures.

2.52.050    Powers and duties.

2.52.010 Established—Statutory authority.

The Emergency Medical Care Commission is hereby established under the authority of Health and Safety Code Sections 1797.270 et seq., and in compliance with SCCC 2.38.060. [Ord. 3620 § 21, 1985; Ord. 2216, 1975; prior code § 3.45.010].

2.52.020 Membership.

(A)    The Commission shall consist of 13 members, residents of the County, appointed by the Board of Supervisors.

(B)    Each Supervisor shall nominate one person who may reside within the Supervisor’s district.

(C)    Six members shall be persons appointed on an at-large basis to represent the following within the County: hospital administrators, one each from Dominican Hospital and Watsonville Community Hospital, ambulance services, the Santa Cruz County Law Enforcement Chiefs Association, the Santa Cruz County Medical Society and the Santa Cruz County Fire Chiefs Association.

(D)    One member shall be a person appointed on an at-large basis to represent the consumer’s interest in emergency medical care. No such consumer interest appointee shall be a person, or the parent, spouse or adult child of a person who is, or within the last year has been, an employee of any hospital, ambulance service, or other agency or organization which is in any way involved, within Santa Cruz County, in the provision of emergency medical services.

(E)    One member shall be a person appointed on an at-large basis to represent field care providers. Field care providers shall include prehospital care providers, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and first responders currently practicing as field care providers in Santa Cruz County. [Ord. 4597 §§ 1, 2, 2000; Ord. 4206 § 1, 1992; Ord. 4061 § 1, 1990; Ord. 2216, 1975; prior code § 3.45.030].

2.52.030 Term of office.

(A)    Each member representing a supervisorial district shall serve for a term of four years, commencing on April 1st of the year in which the member’s nominating Supervisor begins a full term.

(B)    Each at-large member shall serve for a term of four years, staggered in accordance with SCCC 2.38.100(A)(2), with such staggering determined by lot. [Ord. 4597 § 3, 2000; Ord. 4061 § 2, 1990; Ord. 2216, 1975; prior code § 3.45.040].

2.52.040 Organization and procedures.

(A)    General Organization. The Commission shall comply in all respects with SCCC 2.38.110 through 2.38.250, unless otherwise provided herein.

(B)    Staff Support. The County Health Services Agency shall provide staff support for the Commission. The Director of the Health Services Agency, or their designated representative, shall serve as Administrative Secretary to the Commission. The Administrative Secretary shall receive copies of all reports and recommendations prepared by the Commission, prepare and mail agendas, take minutes of each meeting, and perform other duties as directed by the Commission.

(C)    Staff Consultation. Staff members from the County Administrative Office, Health Services Agency, Sheriff’s Office, and County Office of Emergency Services shall be available to the Commission upon request.

(D)    Subcommittees. The Commission should establish subcommittees, as needed, to allow additional participation by hospital administrators and staff, ambulance companies, law enforcement officials, registered nurses, physicians, consumers, paramedics, and other interested persons. [Ord. 5285 § 11, 2018; Ord. 2216, 1975; prior code § 3.45.050].

2.52.050 Powers and duties.

The Commission shall exercise the following responsibilities in its efforts to obtain the highest quality and most effective emergency medical services system for the County:

(A)    Act in an advisory capacity to the Board of Supervisors and the County Office of Emergency Services on all matters relating to emergency medical services, including first aid, ambulance services, communications, medical equipment, training, personnel, facilities, and any other matters relating to emergency medical services, as directed by the Board of Supervisors (Health and Safety Code Section 1797.276);

(B)    Review the following operations in the County at least annually: Ambulance services, emergency medical care, and first aid practices (Health and Safety Code Section 1797.274);

(C)    Report, at least annually, to the California Emergency Medical Services Authority, the County Emergency Medical Services Agency, and the Board of Supervisors concerning its observations and recommendations relative to its review of ambulance services, emergency medical care, and first aid practices in the County (Health and Safety Code Section 1797.276);

(D)    Provide persons residing in the County who have no professional training or financial interest in the provision of health care with an adequate and significant opportunity to participate in the making of policy for an emergency medical services system in the County;

(E)    Conduct its business in a manner best serving the interests of the present and potential consumers of emergency medical services in the County;

(F)    Cooperate with various public and private agencies and organizations to plan and implement an effective emergency medical services system in the County;

(G)    Communicate with other County advisory bodies having an interest in an emergency medical services system for the County;

(H)    Exercise any other responsibilities which may be set forth in the Commission’s bylaws, approved by the Board of Supervisors. [Ord. 5285 § 11, 2018; Ord. 2216, 1975; prior code § 3.45.020].