04-11-2018 Council Workshop City of Clermont
MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
April 11,2018
The Clermont City Council met at a workshop on Tuesday, April 11, 2018, in the Council
Chambers at City Hall. Mayor Ash called the workshop to order at 6:30pm with the following
Council Members present: Council Members Brishke, Travis, Goodgame, and Bates. Other City
officials present were: City Manager Gray, Fire Chief Bishop and City Clerk Ackroyd Howe.
County Commissioners present: Campione, Parks, and Breeden. County Officials present: County
Manager Jeff Cole,Assistant County Manager Jim Molenda, Lake EMS Director Jerry Smith.
Lake EMS
Vice Chairman Campione expressed desire to answer any questions the Council may have as well
as review changes at the County level to improve Lake EMS services in the City of Clermont and
system wide. Vice Chairman Campione reviewed the goals the County has for the Lake EMS
system. The Lake EMS system works directly with the Fire Departments across the County. Both
the ambulance and the fire trucks are stocked with the same type of supplies and equipment. The
paramedics on the fire trucks undergo the same training as the paramedics on the ambulances. The
County could realize savings by bringing the Lake EMS into the County as a County department
and doing so would assist with retaining employees.
Clermont Fire Department has the best response times in the County. In concert with EMS, City
residents are getting quick response times for emergency services. The County's model for Lake
EMS is set up so the Fire Department arrives on scene first, starts administering treatment to the
patient immediately, and makes the decision if transport is needed or if the ambulance can slow
down so as to avoid any possible accidents while on the way to the accident.
Assistant County Manager Molenda stated they have spoken to Summit Greens and Kings Ridge
and provided an overview of the presentation of Lake EMS services within the City of Clermont.
Lake EMS Executive Director Smith provided a background of Lake EMS. Lake EMS operates 22
ambulances units. Services provided to the fire departments through Lake EMS include: state
permitting and fees, medical director, dispatch services, medication replacement, oxygen
replacement, controlled substance, bio waste disposal, Continuing Education/training, online
training platform, mobile data terminal support, federal, state and local regulatory compliance,
equipment retrieval from hospitals, assistance with equipment purchasing, disposable medical
supplies replacement and loaning of spare equipment.
Assistant County Manager Molenda provided information on the EMS consultant study. On
February 13, 2018, the Board of County Commissioners approved the transition of the Lake EMS
services. The transition will have a $500,000 savings by eliminating duplication and increasing
operational consistency and efficiency between all agencies. The savings will offset existing service
costs and establish an operational pooled cash budget while improving services. Savings will
remain within EMS. Identified enhancements to include: computer aided dispatch, implement
priority dispatch, zone coverage deployment, optimized deployment model, specialized units, child
immunizations, critical care units, reduced employee turnover, improved response times, elder
affairs support, and first aid and CPR education/training to residents as well as businesses.
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City of Clermont
MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
April 11,2018
Assistant County Manager Molenda gave an overview of the Fire/EMS system. The First Response
Agreement that is signed by the city and Lake EMS allows for the closest unit to respond despite
which city the ambulance may belong to. The optimized deployment model shows the ambulances
being represented as vehicles instead of stations as the ambulances roam throughout the day, similar
to the conduct of police vehicles. Every ambulance and fire truck within the agreement has both an
EMT and a paramedic. Fire trucks have full capabilities to take care of patients with the only
difference being fire trucks cannot transport patients. Lake County uses a standard operational
model practiced nationwide where the fire trucks are first responders to medical incidents. Assistant
County Manager Molenda reviewed 911 medical emergency nationwide response model, Fire
Station locations, EMS deployment, and the City of Clermont's hourly EMS incident load over the
span of five years.
Executive Director Smith reviewed resources and identified the units in south Lake County as well
as their movements over the years. Executive Director Smith reviewed the consultant analysis of
recommended deployment throughout the County. The consultant recommended the City of
Clermont have two ambulances as well as not having 22 stations in the County but rather having
posts for the ambulances. The posts would allow the ambulances to roam throughout the day and to
only return to their designated post in order to sleep and eat. The service cost analysis was reviewed
with the total Municipal Service Taxing Unit useable assessment equaling$728,912.
Assistant County Manager Molenda stated the consultant provided feedback that the system is
working. The response times are some of the best in the state. The County values the partnership
and relationship with the City and would like to keep the communication going.
Council Member Travis left the workshop.
Council Member Bates inquired if the increase time at the hospital has to do with the beds at the
hospitals. Executive Director Smith clarified the time mentioned in the presentation referred to the
time after the paramedics have made the transfer of care.
Jim Purvis conveyed concern of temporary placement of the ambulance at Fire Station 109 and
requested restoration of 24/7 coverage at Fire Station 3. Vice Chairman Campione responded there
was not enough room at Fire Station 2 however the County is open to looking at any facility the
City is willing to provide. The Arts and Recreation Center and Police Station were suggested, but
the decision has to be made by City Council, not the County. City Manager Gray clarified the City
does have public property on the US 27 corridor which the County could utilize. Once the County
has looked at the properties and confirmed they are an option, then the subject can be brought back
to the Council to vote upon.
Mayor Ash inquired where the County's ambulances are kept in other cities. Executive Director
Smith stated Lake EMS does not own any buildings with the majority of the ambulances kept in city
fire stations. Assistant County Manager Molenda clarified the model used for Lake EMS has the
ambulances roaming around and out of the set stations for the majority of the time.
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City of Clermont
MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
April 11, 2018
Mayor Ash conveyed concern of having only one 24-hour ambulance at Fire Station I. Fire Chief
Bishop stated there is another 13-hour ambulance stationed at Fire Station 3. Executive Director
Smith stated the County has a system in place which safely allows the City to have a lesser number
of ambulances,
Kenneth Forte, Summit Greens, commented his family has been personally affected by response
times.
Madeline Bellseto, Kings Ridge, conveyed concern of the lack of 24/7 ambulances in the City.
Assistant County Manager Molenda replied the number of 24/7 ambulances is determined on peak
hours and demand to achieve target response times. Fire Chief Bishop clarified the important factor
is receiving advanced life support care. Even if the ambulances were to arrive before the Fire
Department, they would have to go through the same procedure the paramedics on the fire trucks go
through on the scene.
Council Member Goodgame conveyed concern with moving the ambulance from Fire Station 2 to
109 on Lakeshore, but expressed approval of the proposal to use the Performing Arts Center.
Mayor Ash reviewed statistics provided by Fire Chief Bishop and Assistant Chief Johnson. She
expressed concern with the possibility of accidentally interfering with Lake County's distribution of
ambulance services by relocating the ambulance from Fire Station 109 to within the City's
boundaries.
Eric Sorkin, Heritage Hills, requested the statistics be drafted for the number of the City's
emergency calls were answered by roaming ambulances rather than stationed ambulances.
Executive Director Smith reviewed statistics of echo calls for Lake County for the Fiscal Year of
2017.
With no further discussion, the workshop was adjourned at 8:25 pm.
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