The Southern Marin Emergency Medical Paramedic System (SMEMPS) was established in October 1980 to better serve the emergency medical service (EMS) needs of residents and visitors in Southern Marin County. Before that time, EMS was provided by firefighters certified as Emergency Medical Technicians, and hospital transport was handled by a private ambulance company.
Recognizing that a better system was possible, the local jurisdictions came together and formed a Joint Powers Authority to provide paramedic service to the community.
The original paramedics were trained at the Stanford University Hospital paramedic program. After graduating, they were stationed at a single firehouse and responded to medical emergencies and vehicle accidents in a utility vehicle. SMEMPS also purchased and outfitted three ambulances to transport patients to the hospital.
The original system was patterned after a model used in Los Angeles. Several years later, to reduce response time to the scene, paramedics were reassigned to the three ambulances. This increased the likelihood that a paramedic would always be available to respond, even when one ambulance was at the hospital.
The next major change came in late 2003, when a medium-duty rescue vehicle was purchased and outfitted with specialized equipment for the fire department's growing role in medical care. The personnel who staff this unit are trained in water and confined-space rescue, extricating trapped patients from vehicles, and rescuing people who have fallen from steep cliffs.
Today the Authority is overseen by a Board of Directors representing its three member agencies: the Tiburon Fire Protection District, the Southern Marin Fire Protection District, and the County of Marin. The Board meets four times a year and welcomes the public to attend. Its work is guided by recommendations from the fire chiefs of the member agencies.
SMEMPS personnel treat an average of 2,650 patients each year. Medical oversight is provided by a physician Medical Director, a Continuous Quality Improvement Coordinator, and a Fire Battalion Chief Specialist.
SMEMPS Core Functions
SMEMPS is responsible for the following core services:
- Act as the contracting agency for the Agreement for Advanced and Basic Life Support Service with the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services (County Agreement).
- Oversee implementation of County EMS policies within the EMS service area.
- Develop and oversee the SMEMPS Plan of Operations.
- Establish paramedic and EMT qualifications.
- Establish minimum training standards and recertification programs for paramedics and EMTs, and provide support for related EMS and rescue training.
- Maintain and update the Continuous Quality Improvement Plan stipulated in the County Agreement.
- Provide oversight for associated contracts.
- Maintain insurance coverage for SMEMPS as stipulated in the County Agreement.
- Provide oversight for the SMEMPS budget in accordance with the budget and finance policies adopted by the SMEMPS Board of Directors.
- Review and approve payment for all expenses incurred by SMEMPS.
- Establish appropriate fees for transport services.
- Provide oversight for the Agreement for Medical Service Revenue Recovery and Billing.
- Purchase and distribute medical supplies and equipment for all designated medic units.
- Establish replacement and maintenance programs for all SMEMPS-owned vehicles.