Systems Organization And Management
EMS Systems Planning: In accordance with Health and Safety Code §§ 1797.250 and 1797.254, a local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agency shall annually submit an EMS plan for its EMS area to the EMS Authority that addresses all EMS system components identified in Health and Safety Code § 1797.103.
Transportation: The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Act charged the EMS Authority in 1980 with providing oversight of the planning, implementation, and evaluation of local EMS agency (LEMSA) systems. This includes the review of local transportation plans for ground and air providers, and oversight of 308 ambulance zones/areas. Exclusivity of an ambulance zone/area is achieved through a request for proposal or grandfathering via Health and Safety Code, Section 1797.224.
Maddy EMS Fund: Health and Safety Code (HSC) § 1797.98a authorizes counties to establish a Maddy Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Fund, through the adoption of a resolution by the board of supervisors, to reimburse physicians/surgeons and hospitals for the cost of uncompensated emergency care and for other discretionary EMS purposes. The Maddy EMS Fund is administered by each county, except when a county elects to have the state administer its medically indigent services program, then the county may also elect to have its Maddy EMS Fund administered by the state.
Additionally, HSC § 1797.98a(e) authorizes counties that have established the supplemental assessment, to establish a Richie’s Fund, as part of the Maddy EMS Fund. The Richie’s Fund provides funding for pediatric trauma centers throughout the county. Counties that do not maintain a pediatric trauma center shall utilize the money deposited into the fund to improve access to, and coordination of, pediatric trauma and emergency services in the county, with preference for funding given to hospitals that specialize in services to children, and physicians and surgeons who provide emergency care for children.