To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: JOE HOFFMAN, CHIEF OF POLICE
TITLE
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APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH POWERPHONE FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL DISPATCH SOFTWARE FOR THE TERM JANUARY 23, 2024 THROUGH JANUARY 22, 2026, WITH AN OPTION TO RENEW FOR TWO ADDITIONAL YEARS, FOR A TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $41,404.30
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The proposed Agreement with PowerPhone provides mandated services, training, certification, and support for the Redondo Beach Police Department Communications Unit to perform Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) duties, which include providing enhanced medical assistance and pre-arrival instructions during medical emergencies. Funding for implementing an EMD program was included in the Police Department's Fiscal Year 2023-24 operating budget.
BACKGROUND
The PowerPhone EMD system will provide enhanced medical assistance from the City's Communications Center. EMD is performed by Communications Dispatchers through a process that allows them to quickly narrow down the type of medical emergency. With this knowledge, Dispatchers follow EMD recommendations for what resources to dispatch and provide scripted medical instructions to assist with patient care prior to the arrival of emergency services. If approved, the EMD program in the Redondo Beach Communications Center can be implemented as soon as February, 2024.
Historically, the Redondo Beach Communications Center has not performed EMD or provided pre-arrival instructions for medical emergencies. Initiating the PowerPhone EMD program has the potential to enhance life-saving efforts during medical emergencies. The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services currently mandates all agencies that dispatch Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to incorporate pre-arrival instructions for callers. EMD would satisfy that mandate and provide the highest level of care for individuals utilizing the 911 system in Redondo Beach.
The PowerPhone EMD system would also improve emergency resou...
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