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Resolution Providing for Modifications of Established Schedule of Fees and Charges to be Imposed by Hernando County Fire And Emergency Services
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BRIEF OVERVIEW
Hernando County Fire and Emergency Services (HCFES) has experienced long wait times at the local hospitals when transferring the care of a patient from the department to the care of the receiving facility. These delays cause the reduction of ambulances available for responding to emergency calls to the citizens of Hernando County. In speaking with other counties experiencing the same issue, they have put into place a “Wait Time” service fee to the facilities as an incentive to reduce wait times.
HCFES’s current policy allows for Wait Time fees to be charged however the hourly rate has not been updated for several years. We are requesting the Board to approve an increase in our hourly rate from $30 per hour to $204 per hour (based on the average operational cost of a manned ambulance) to be billed to the hospitals at quarter hour increments (instead of ½ hour increments) after the first thirty minutes.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The rate increase will provide additional revenue in Account No. 1691-3426001, Ambulance Service Fees.
LEGAL NOTE
The Board is authorized to take action on this matter pursuant to Chapter 125, Florida Statutes.
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board approve and authorize the Chairman’s signature on the attached resolution to approve the Hernando County Fire and Emergency Service’s wait time rate increase for hospitals.