Council
Communication

Office of the City Manager

 
 

Date

February 11, 2008

 

Agenda Item No.       30

Roll Call No.              08-

Communication No.  08-049

Submitted by Phillip C. Vorlander, Chief of the Fire Department

 

 

AGENDA HEADING:

 

Terminate the 2006 Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) Contract Agreement.

 

 

SYNOPSIS:

 

On April 23, 2007 the City Council approved the entering into an agreement with the State of Iowa for the management and administration of a Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) grant in the amount of $232,330 for the grant period July 1, 2006 to March 31, 2008. The MMRS is regional in scope and there is no direct fiscal benefit to the City of Des Moines. Recognizing the regional nature of this program, the Polk County Emergency Management Commission has agreed to assume responsibility for administering this and future MMRS grants, relieving Fire Department staff of the significant time requirements associated with the management of the program. This Resolution directs the Chief of the Des Moines Fire Department to notify the Administrator of the Iowa Division of Homeland Security of the City’s intent to terminate the contract and facilitate the transition for MMRS grant management to the Polk County Emergency Management Commission.

 

 

FISCAL IMPACT: NONE

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:  

 

For several years, the Des Moines Fire Department has been the sub-grantee and lead agency for the Des Moines Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) grant. However, the scope of the MMRS is regional and it is more effectively and efficiently accomplished by a sub-grantee with previously established regional contacts. Additionally, and just as significant, the staff time required to administer this grant is considerable and detracts from the capacity of the Des Moines Fire Department Emergency Medical Services Section to fulfill its primary mission of supporting the delivery of the highest quality out-of-hospital emergency medical care and transportation.

 

The Polk County Emergency Management Commission has agreed to assume responsibility for the 2006 MMRS grant and future MMRS grants and has directed Polk County EMA Coordinator A.J. Mumm to serve as the authorized representative for the administration of these grants. The Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division of the Iowa Department of Public Defense has approved this subgrantee reassignment. The Des Moines Fire Department will continue involvement by participating as a member of the MMRS Steering Committee and any equipment, training, or other service that may have been provided to the Des Moines Fire Department as the sub-grantee will still be received.

 


PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION(S):  NONE

 

Date:  April 23, 2007

 

Roll Call Number:  07-762

 

Action: Execution of a Metropolitan Medical Response System (“MMRS”) Grant and designating the Chief of the Fire Department as authorized representative for purposes of administering the “MMRS” Grant.  (Council Communication No.  07-207)  Moved by Hensley to adopt.  Motion Carried 7-0.

 

Date:  October 10, 2005

 

Roll Call Number:  05-2457

 

Action: Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) Grant and designating the Chief of the Fire Department as authorized representative for purposes of administering the MMRS Grant.  (Council Communication No.  05-577)  Moved by Vlassis to adopt.  Motion Carried 7-0.

 

Date:  July 9, 2001

 

Roll Call Number:  01-2111

 

Action: Formation of a Metropolitan Medical Response System Task Force by the Fire Department and submission of an application for a $400,000 grant. (Council Communication No. 01-344). Moved by Brooks to adopt. Motion Carried 6-1. Absent: Vlassis

 

 

BOARD/COMMISSION ACTION(S): NONE

 

 

ANTICIPATED ACTIONS AND FUTURE COMMITMENTS: NONE