Chapter 2.52
CENTRAL VALLEY AMBULANCE AUTHORITY*
Sections:
2.52.030 Central Valley Ambulance Authority—Composition/selection.
2.52.040 Central Valley Ambulance Authority—Powers and duties.
2.52.050 Central Valley Ambulance Authority—Organization.
2.52.060 Central Valley Ambulance Authority—Budget.
2.52.070 Central Valley Ambulance Authority—Operations report.
2.52.080 Skagit County Board of Commissioners authority.
2.52.090 Dissolution of Central Valley Ambulance Authority—Disposition of assets upon dissolution.
2.52.110 Limitation of liability.
* Code reviser’s note: Ord. O20180008 calls for the creation of fire-based emergency medical services and the dissolution of the Central Valley Ambulance Authority. The Central Valley Ambulance Authority is to cease ambulance service December 31, 2018, and be dissolved by July 31, 2019.
2.52.010 Established.
A public commission to be called the Central Valley Ambulance Authority (“Central Valley Ambulance Authority”) shall be established under the authority of RCW 35.21.730. The purpose of this Authority is to provide efficient and effective emergency medical and related services in Central Skagit County, under contract with the Skagit County Emergency Medical Services Commission, in compliance with State law. The Central Valley Ambulance Authority shall be a public body comprised as set forth herein. (Ord. O20090004 § 1, 2009)
2.52.020 Definitions.
For the purposes of this Chapter, the words set out in this section shall have the following meanings:
(1) “Emergency medical services (EMS)” means medical treatment and care that may be rendered at the scene of any medical emergency or while transporting any patient in an ambulance to an appropriate medical facility, including ambulance transportation between medical facilities.
(2) “Skagit County Emergency Medical Services Commission (EMS Commission)” means the public commission formed under Chapter 2.48* SCC, as amended, as authorized by RCW 35.21.730 with powers and duties as set forth therein. (Ord. O20090004 § 2, 2009)
* Code reviser’s note: Ord. O20140002 dissolves the Emergency Medical Services Commission.
2.52.030 Central Valley Ambulance Authority—Composition/selection.
(1) The Central Valley Ambulance Authority shall consist of seven members: three shall be municipal fire chiefs (or their representative); two shall be rural fire chiefs (or their representative); one shall be a rural fire commissioner (or their representative); and one shall be an at-large representative. Members shall be drawn from within the Central Valley Ambulance Authority service area. In the event there is not sufficient representation in any of the above listed categories to total seven members, the Skagit County Board of Commissioners may in its discretion appoint other qualified persons as Authority members. The appointment shall be for a term of three years unless the Board of County Commissioners shall designate otherwise; however, approximately one-half of the initial appointments shall be for a period of one year to accomplish a limited staggering of the expiration of terms.
(2) Selection of individuals to fill the positions on the Central Valley Ambulance Authority shall be accomplished in the following manner:
(a) Municipal Fire Chiefs. The municipal fire chiefs shall be appointed or reappointed as recommended by the Mayor of each municipality.
(b) Rural Fire Chiefs. The Board of County Commissioners shall provide written notification to all rural fire chiefs that a representative is being sought. The notification shall provide contact information for the Central Valley Ambulance Authority Director and the Central Valley Ambulance Authority Board President to allow interested parties to contact with questions regarding duties and expectation. From the time written notice is received, the rural fire chiefs shall have a 21-day period for individuals to notify the President of the Skagit County Fire Chiefs Association of their interest in appointment. Rural fire chiefs shall be appointed or reappointed as recommended by the Skagit County Fire Chiefs Association.
(c) Rural Fire Commissioner. The Board of County Commissioners shall provide written notification to all rural fire commissioners that a representative is being sought. The notification shall provide contact information for the Central Valley Ambulance Authority Director and the Central Valley Ambulance Authority Board President to allow interested parties to contact with questions regarding duties and expectation. From the time written notice is received, the rural fire chiefs shall have a 21-day period for individuals to notify the President of the Skagit County Fire Commissioners Association of their interest in appointment. Rural fire commissioners shall be appointed or reappointed as recommended by the Skagit County Fire Commissioners Association.
(d) At-Large Representative. The Board of County Commissioners shall provide public notice that an at-large representative is being sought. The notification shall provide contact information for the Central Valley Ambulance Authority Director and the Central Valley Ambulance Authority Board President to allow interested parties to contact with questions regarding duties and expectation. From the time of the public notice, there shall be a 21-day period for individuals to notify the Board of County Commissioners of their interest in appointment. Qualified applicants shall be interviewed by the Central Valley Ambulance Authority Board President, the Central Valley Ambulance Authority Director, and the County Emergency Medical Services Director. The top three ranked candidates shall be forwarded to the County Commissioners who will make the final appointment decision.
The Authority member terms shall be alternately staggered so that all members’ terms do not expire at the same time.
(3) All members of the Central Valley Ambulance Authority shall be voting members. By-laws shall be adopted subject to the approval of the Skagit County Board of Commissioners. Adopted by-laws shall address conflict of interest issues and the requirement of members to recuse themselves. Central Valley Ambulance Authority members shall be considered “municipal officers” for the purposes of Chapter 42.23 RCW, Code of Ethics for Municipal Officers—Contract Interests. (Ord. O20160009 (Att. A), 2016; Ord. O20160008 (Att. A), 2016; Ord. O20090004 § 3, 2009)
* Code reviser’s note: Exhibit A to Ordinance O20090004 is available in the Commissioner’s office for public examination.
2.52.040 Central Valley Ambulance Authority—Powers and duties.
The Central Valley Ambulance Authority shall, according to the powers, duties and procedures authorized by this Chapter (as currently enacted or as may be amended hereafter), coordinate, operate, provide, and maintain those services necessary for the operation of emergency medical services within Central Skagit County as designated by contract with the EMS Commission as follows:
(1) Select and appoint personnel as necessary to accomplish the duties of the Central Valley Ambulance Authority and establish personnel policies as Central Valley Ambulance Authority deems appropriate. Establish procedures for the review and approval of all invoices, payroll, and requests for disbursements prior to submittal to the Skagit County Auditor or upon the consent of Skagit County’s Budget and Finance Director, an authorized accounting resource for payment as required by the laws of the State of Washington.
(2) Provide training as determined to be required by the EMS Commission for training emergency medical services personnel.
(3) Provide emergency medical services in Central Skagit County in accordance with any applicable laws or regulations and pursuant to any contract with the Commission, which shall be consistent with the approved EMS Management Plan. (Ord. O20090004 § 4, 2009)
2.52.050 Central Valley Ambulance Authority—Organization.
Within forty-five (45) days after adoption of the ordinance codified in this Chapter, the Central Valley Ambulance Authority shall adopt by-laws, rules, and procedures to accomplish its functions authorized herein. The Central Valley Ambulance Authority’s by-laws shall be submitted to the Skagit County Board of Commissioners for ratification. (Ord. O20090004 § 5, 2009)
2.52.060 Central Valley Ambulance Authority—Budget.
(1) Upon adoption of this Chapter, the Central Valley Ambulance Authority shall enter into negotiations with the EMS Commission for a contract to assume the direct provision of emergency medical services within Central Skagit County. Further, such contract by and between the EMS Commission and the Central Valley Ambulance Authority shall provide for, without limitation, the termination of the direct provision of emergency medical services by the EMS Commission and a transfer of the EMS Commission’s assets for the direct provision of those services to the Central Valley Ambulance Authority. Central Valley Ambulance Authority shall take over EMS’s provision of directly providing emergency medical services no later than July 1, 2009. Prior to the conclusion of negotiations by and between the EMS Commission and the Central Valley Ambulance Authority, the Central Valley Ambulance Authority shall prepare a proposed budget for 2009.
(2) The Central Valley Ambulance Authority will prepare an annual budget, which shall be submitted to the Skagit County Board of Commissioners each year as part of the Commission budget approval process. Further, Central Valley Ambulance Authority shall quarterly present a financial report detailing the Commission’s activity and expenditure of funds to Skagit County Board of Commissioners. All budgets and financial documents must be consistent with Skagit County’s accounting and budget system and in the form and timeline specified by Skagit County’s Budget and Finance Director. (Ord. O20090004 § 6, 2009)
2.52.070 Central Valley Ambulance Authority—Operations report.
The Central Valley Ambulance Authority shall prepare, as part of its annual budget submittal to the Commission, which shall be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners, an annual operations report summarizing the last year’s activities. (Ord. O20090004 § 7, 2009)
2.52.080 Skagit County Board of Commissioners authority.
The following actions of the Central Valley Ambulance Authority shall require approval by the Skagit County Board of Commissioners:
(1) The Central Valley Ambulance Authority annual budget, which shall be approved through the Board of Commissioners approval of the Commission budget.
(2) Any adoption of or changes to Central Valley Ambulance Authority by-laws.
(3) Any removal of Central Valley Ambulance Authority members.
The above list shall not limit the authority of the Board of County Commissioners as provided in State law or other ordinance. (Ord. O20090004 § 8, 2009)
2.52.090 Dissolution of Central Valley Ambulance Authority—Disposition of assets upon dissolution.
The Central Valley Ambulance Authority may be dissolved by the Skagit County Board of Commissioners upon adoption of an ordinance directing the dissolution; provided, that unless the Skagit County Board of Commissioners make written findings that earlier dissolution is required, any such dissolution shall require three hundred sixty-five (365) days advanced notice prior to the effective date of dissolution. Upon dissolution of the Central Valley Ambulance Authority and the winding up of its affairs, the Skagit County Board of Commissioners may provide for the transfer of the rights, assets, and property of the Central Valley Ambulance Authority to a qualified entity or entities, which will fulfill the purposes for which Central Valley Ambulance Authority was created. Otherwise, title to all remaining property and assets of the Central Valley Ambulance Authority vests in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Commission upon the dissolution of the Central Valley Ambulance Authority. (Ord. O20090004 § 9, 2009)
2.52.100 Tenure in office.
Any Central Valley Ambulance Authority member or employee may be removed from any office or position in such manner as the by-laws prescribe, upon removal from an office or position, such member or employee shall no longer have the power of such office; provided, however, any action by the Authority to remove an Authority member as specified in the by-laws shall be subject to approval by the Board of County Commissioners. (Ord. O20090004 § 10, 2009)
2.52.110 Limitation of liability.
Any party having a claim against the Central Valley Ambulance Authority, however arising, shall have recourse only to the extent of assets and property of the Central Valley Ambulance Authority and shall have no recourse against Skagit County, its appointed and elected officers, employees, and volunteers or its/their assets or credits. The limitations of liability provided in Chapters 35.21 and 18.71 RCW shall apply. Central Valley Ambulance Authority will assume liability for its own wrongful and/or negligent acts or omissions or those of their officials, officers, agents, or employees to the fullest extent required by law, and further agrees to save, indemnify, defend, and hold Skagit County, its appointed and elected officers, employees, and volunteers harmless from any such liability to the fullest extent allowed by law. (Ord. O20090004 § 11, 2009)
2.52.120 Insurance.
Central Valley Ambulance Authority shall acquire and maintain insurance for the activities related to the advanced life support ambulance service and all other activities it may perform. The coverage provided shall include medical malpractice for the medical technicians associated with the service provided in the amount of at least five million dollars ($5,000,000) and automobile liability no less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) with coverage for owned, non-owned, hired, and/or leased vehicles. Coverage must be provided by an insurance company authorized to write insurance in the State of Washington and has an A- or better rating in the AM Best Rating Guide. Insurance, in terms of amount and form, must be approved by Skagit County’s Risk Manager; at his/her sole discretion, Skagit County’s Risk Manager may from time to time modify or impose additional insurance requirements as Skagit County’s Risk Manager deems appropriate. Central Valley Ambulance Authority shall submit proof of the required insurance yearly with its budget to the Skagit County Board of Commissioners. Unless the required insurance is obtained through membership of a risk pool, which prohibits the naming of others as additional insured, Skagit County, its elected officials, officers, and employees shall be named as additional insured on all policies. (Ord. O20090004 § 12, 2009)