On August 22, 2016 City Council approved implementation of Paramedic level emergency medical service, which included the purchase of three (3) cardiac monitors with an estimated cost of $102,135.15.  By using an existing purchase agreement negotiated between the Lake Tahoe Fire Chief’s Association and the Zoll Corporation, we can purchase the same monitors for $88,678.35, a savings of $13,456.80.

In addition to providing advanced cardiac monitoring, this equipment is equivalent to the monitors used by our regional partners (REMSA, Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District, Reno Fire, etc.) and will allow continuity of care when responding to medical calls with these agencies.  In accordance with the approved Paramedic Program, these monitors will be placed in service on fire apparatus located at Fire Station 4 and Fire Station 5.             

Approximately half of the fire department’s cardiac monitors/defibrillators are more than ten (10) years old and the manufacturer has notified the department that there will be limited support and parts availability for this equipment in the future.  Additionally, our current cardiac monitors/defibrillators are not capable of performing the full complement of procedures approved under the Paramedic scope of practice.  

The new cardiac monitors/defibrillators are compliant with our current level of emergency medical service (EMT Advanced) and are also capable of providing the patient assessment tools and capabilities at the Paramedic level of service, including the ability to recognize and treat life threatening cardiac emergencies.  The new monitors also include technology that gives immediate feedback enhancing the effectiveness of chest compressions during CPR. 

The cardiac monitor/defibrillator is an essential piece of equipment in an EMS system.  Purchasing these monitors will allow us provide the Paramedic level service at Station 4 and Station 5 as approved by the Council on August 22, 2016.    

The City Council may choose not to approve the purchase of the three (3) cardiac monitors and provide further direction to the City Manager or fire department staff.  

I move to approve the purchase of three (3) cardiac monitors for the fire department in the amount of $88,678.32 from the Zoll Medical Corporation.