Resolution 295-2017Commissioner Rice
RESOLUTION NO. 295 - 2017
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO ENACT
LEGISLATION AMENDING F.S. 121.0515 TO INCLUDE
QUALIFIED PILOTS AND CERTIFIED FLIGHT NURSES
EMPLOYED BY A LICENSED ADVANCE LIFE SUPPORT
(ALS) AND /OR BASIC LIFE SUPPORT (BLS) EMPLOYER
WHO PROVIDES LIFE - SAVING AIR AMBULANCE AND
INTERFACILITY TRANSFER SERVICES, WHO SATISFY
THE REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN CHAPTER 401,
FLORIDA STATUTES AND ANY OTHER APPLICABLE
CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO
MEDICAL AIR AMBULANCE TRANSPORTATION
SERVICES, IN THE "SPECIAL RISK CLASS" OF
MEMBERSHIP IN THE FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM.
WHEREAS, Monroe County operates a licensed 24 -hour emergency Advanced Life
Support (ALS) and interfacility transport air - ambulance service called Trauma Star that is jointly
operated by Monroe County Fire Rescue and the Monroe County Sheriff's Department; and
WHEREAS, Trauma Star's primary mission is to provide emergency air ambulance
transportation for individuals who are critically injured either by natural causes such as heart
attacks or stroke, or by other causes such as a vehicle crash or criminal action; and
WHEREAS, Trauma Star's response is initiated through the emergency 9 -1 -1 system,
and oftentimes the helicopter will land at the accident scene to provide the quickest response to
qualified medical facilities in south Florida; and
WHEREAS, in addition to the primary mission of providing critical trauma - related
transports, Trauma Star also assists local hospitals by providing hospital -to- hospital transfers
when State of Florida interfacility transfer guidelines are met; and
WHEREAS, F.S. 401.251(3)(d) requires that all Trauma Star flight crew members meet
applicable Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations; and
WHEREAS, 64J- 1.005(4), Florida Administrative Code, requires each Trauma Star
emergency medical technician and paramedic to have successfully completed an initial air crew
member (ACM) education program, conducted in accordance with the 1988 United States (US)
Department of Transportation (DOT) Air Medical Crew - Advanced National Standard
Curriculum (NSC), and hold a current certification with the Department of Health; and
Page 1 of 4
Commissioner Rice
WHEREAS, F.S. 401.25(7)(a) and (b) and F.S. 401.27(1) requires that Trauma Star
"..when transporting a person who is sick, injured, wounded, incapacitated or helpless, must be
occupied by ..... one patient attendant who is a certified emergency medical technician, certified
paramedic or licensed physician;... "; and
WHEREAS, for interfacility transfers, F.S. 401.252 (1) permits Trauma Star ".. using a
registered nurse in place of an emergency medical technician or paramedic.." when the
requirements of F.S. 401.252 are met; and
WHEREAS, F.S. 121.0515 established a "Special Risk Class" of membership within the
Florida Retirement System to recognize that persons employed in certain categories of law
enforcement, firefighting, criminal detention, and emergency medical care positions are required,
as one of the essential functions of their positions, to perform work that due to the extraordinary
demands of their position and the "wear and tear" on them physically and emotionally, find
themselves having to retire at an early age, and usually with less service, because they are no
longer able to continue performing these duties; and
WHEREAS, due to the early retirement necessitated by the extraordinary demands of
their position, members identified in this "Special Risk Class" suffer an economic deprivation
that other employees do not experience, and, as a result, are awarded more retirement credit per
year of service than that awarded to other employees; and
WHEREAS, effective October 1, 1999, F.S. 121.0515(2)(c) MEMBERSHIP. designates
those "...employed as.. an emergency medical technician, or a paramedic and meet certain other
special criteria as set forth in this section." as a "special risk member" of the Florida Retirement
System; and
WHEREAS, effective October 1, 1999, F.S. 121.0515 (3)(d) CRITERIA. sets forth
certain criteria for members employed by a licensed Advance Life Support (ALS) or Basic Life
Support (BLS) employer to be a member of the "Special Risk Class" of the Florida Retirement
System: "...the member must be employed by a licensed Advance Life Support (ALS) or Basic
Life Support (BLS) employer as an emergency medical technical or a paramedic and be certified
in compliance with s. 401.27. In addition, the member's primary duties and responsibilities must
include on- the -scene emergency medical care of, as of October 1, 2001, direct supervision of
emergency medical technicians or paramedics, or the member must be the supervisor or
command officer of one or more members who have such responsibility. Administrative support
personnel, including but not limited to, those whose primary responsibilities are in accounting,
purchasing, legal, and personnel, are not included,-"; and
Page 2 of 4
Commissioner Rice
WHEREAS, Monroe County's Fire Chief /Monroe County Fire Rescue Director advised
the Trauma Star "...flight crew consists of a pilot, flight nurse and flight paramedic.." who "..all
function as a team.. "; however, pursuant to F.S. 121.0515, only the Trauma Star paramedics are
designated members of the "Special Risk Class "; the flight nurses and pilots are classified as
"Regular" members of the Florida Retirement System; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay expressed his concerns regarding the
"...significant and unwarranted disparity in the way the first responders working in this
operation (Trauma Star) are treated with regard to their retirement classification.
Notwithstanding the fact they are subjected to the same risks, the medical crew is classified as
high risk and the pilots are not.. "; and
WHEREAS, the Board acknowledges the concerns expressed by our Fire Chief and
Sheriff and supports their recommendation that the Florida Legislature be urged to propose
legislation to include air ambulance pilots and flight nurses in the "Special Risk Class"
membership of the Florida Retirement System;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNTY BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The Florida Legislature is urged to enact legislation amending
F.S. 121.0515 to include qualified pilots and certified flight nurses
who are employed by a licensed Advanced Life Support (ALS) or
Basic Life Support (BLS) employer that provides life- saving air
ambulance and interfacility transfer services, and who satisfy the
certification requirements set forth in Chapter 401, Florida
Statutes and all other applicable requirements related to medical
air ambulance transportation services, in the designated "Special
Risk Class" of membership in the Florida Retirement Service in
addition to the certified Emergency Medical Technicians and
certified Paramedics already included in this special risk
designation.
Section 2. The Clerk of the Court is hereby directed to transmit a certified
copy of this resolution to Governor Rick Scott, Senate President,
House Speaker, and the Chair, and the members of the State
Legislative Delegation representing Monroe County.
Section 3. The County's state lobbyists are hereby directed to advocate for
the passage of the legislation as set forth in Section 1 above, and
authorizes and directs the Intergovernmental Affairs staff to
include this item in the 2018 Legislative Package when it is
presented to the Board and our Legislators.
Page 3 of 4
Commissioner Rice
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,
Florida at a regular meeting held on the 18th day of October, 2017.
Mayor George Neugent
Yes
Mayor Pro Tem David Rice
Yes
Commissioner Danny Kolhage
Yes
Commissioner Heather Carruthers
Yes
Commissioner Sylvia Murphy
Yes
MADOK, CLERK
BY:
Deputy Clerk
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
BY: � � 5
Mayor
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Kevin Madok CPA
Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller — Monroe County, Florida
October 24, 2017
Honorable Senator Bill Nelson
716 Senate Hart Office Building
United States Senate
Washington DC 20510
Honorable Senator Nelson,
Attached is a certified copy of Resolution No. 295 -2017 urging the Florida Legislature to
enact legislation amending F.S. 121.0515 to include qualified pilots and certified flight nurses
employed by a licensed advanced life support (ALS) and /or basic Tile support (BLS) employer who
provides file- saving air ambulance and interlacility translcr services, who satisfy the requirements
set forth in Chapter 401, Florida Statutes and any other applicable certification requirements
related to medical air ambulance transportation services, in the `:Special Risk Class "ol*
membership in the Florida Retirement System.
This Resolution was adopted by the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners at a
regular meeting, held informal session, on October 18, 2017. Should you have any questions,
please feel free to contact me at (305) 292 -3550.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kcvin Madok, CPA, Clerk of the
Circuit Court and ex- ollicio to the
Monroe County Board of County
Conunissioners
131 Pxnela G. Haruock, D.C:
cc: File
KEY WEST
500 Whitehead Street
Key West, Florida 33040
305- 294 -4641
MARATHON
3117 Overseas Highway
Marathon, Florida 33050
305 - 289 -6027
PLANTATION KEY
88820 Overseas Highway
Plantation Key, Florida 33070
305- 852 -7145
PK/ROTH BUILDING
50 High Point Road
Plantation Key, Florida 33070
305 - 852 -7145
° w Kevin Madok, CPA
Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller — Monroe County, Florida
October 24, 2017
Honorable Senator Marco Rubio
284 Russell Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington DC 20510
Honorable Senator Rubio,
Attached is a certified copy of Resolution No. 295 -2017 urging the Florida Legislature to
enact legislation amending F.S. 121.0515 to include qualified pilots and certified flight nurses
employed by a licensed advanced lilt support (A1 S) and /or basic life support (BLS) employer who
provides file- saving air aiubulance and interfacility transfer services, who satisfy the requirements
set forth in Chapter 401, Florida Statutes and any other applicable certification requirements
related to medical air ambulance transportation services, in the `:Special Risk Class "of
membership in the Florida Retirement System.
'Phis Resolution was adopted by the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners at a
regular meeting, held in formal session, on October 18, 2017. Should you have any questions,
please feel free to contact me at (305) 292 - 3550.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kevin Madok, CPA, Clerk of the
Circuit Court and ex- oflicio to the
Monroe County Board of County
Commissioners
13j: Paiucla G. Hancock, D. C'.
cc: File
KEY WEST MARATHON PLANTATION KEY
500 Whitehead Street 3117 Overseas Highway 88820 Overseas Highway
Key West, Florida 33040 Marathon, Florida 33050 Plantation Key, Florida 33070
305- 294 -4641 305- 289 - 6027 305- 852 -7145
PK/ROTH BUILDING
50 High Point Road
Plantation Key, Florida 33070
305- 852 -7145
Kevin Madok, CPA
r Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller — Monroe County, Florida
October 24, 2017
Honorable Representative Carlos Curbelo
1404 Longworth House Office Building
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington DC 20515
Honorable Representative Curbelo,
Attached is a certified copy of Resolution No. 295-2017 urging the Florida Legislature to
enact legislation amending F.S. 121.0515 to include qualified pilots and certified flight nurses
employed by a licensed advanced life support (ALS) and /or basic life support (BI S) employer who
provides lile- saving air, ambulance and interfacility transfer services, who satisfy the requirements
set forth in Chapter 401, Florida Statutes and any other applicable certification requirements
related to medical air ambulance transportation services, in 11 i `:Special Risk Class "of'
membership in the Florida Retirement System.
'Phis Resolution was adopted by the Monroe County Board of' County Commissioners at a
regular meeting, held in lormal session, on October 18, 2017. Should you have any questions,
please feel free to contact me at (305) 292 -3550.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kevin Madok, CPA, Clerk ol' the
Circuit Court and ex- ollicio to the
Monroe County Board of County
Commissioners
Bj .- Pamela G. Hancock, D. C:
cc: File
KEY WEST
500 Whitehead Street
Key West, Florida 33040
305- 294 -4641
MARATHON
3117 Overseas Highway
Marathon, Florida 33050
305- 289 -6027
PLANTATION KEY
88820 Overseas Highway
Plantation Key, Florida 33070
305- 852 -7145
PK/ROTH BUILDING
50 High Point Road
Plantation Key, Florida 33070
305- 852 -7145
OL"
Kevin Madok, CPA
Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller — Monroe County, Florida
October 24, 2017
Office of Governor Rick Scou
State of Florida
'1'hc Capitol
400 S Monroe Street
Tallaliassee FL 32399 -0001
Honorable Governor Scott,
Attached is a certified copy of* Resolution No. 295 -2017 urging the Florida
Legislature to enact legislation amending F.S. 121.0515 to include qualified pilots and certified
flight nurses employed by a licensed advanced life support (AIS) and /or basic life support (ISIS)
employer who provides life- saving air ambulance and interfacility transfer services, who satisfy the
requirements set forth in Chapter 401, Florida Statutes and any otlier applicable certification
requirements related to medical air ambulance transportation services, in (lie `:Special Risk Class"
of inembersliip in the Florida Retirement System.
'I'liis Resolution was adopted by the Monroe County Board of' County Commissioners at a
regular meeting, field in formal session, on October 18, 2017. Should you Have any questions,
please feel free to contact me at (305) 292 -3550.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kevin Madok, CPA, Clerk of the
Circuit Court and ex- oflicio to the
Monroe County Board of County
Commissioners
11j Pamela G. Harzcoc k, D. C'
cc: File
KEY WEST
500 Whitehead Street
Key West, Florida 33040
305- 294 -4641
MARATHON
3117 Overseas Highway
Marathon, Florida 33050
305 - 289 -6027
PLANTATION KEY
88820 Overseas Highway
Plantation Key, Florida 33070
305 - 852 -7145
PK/ROTH BUILDING
50 High Point Road
Plantation Key, Florida 33070
305- 852 -7145
couft
Kevin Madok, CPA
Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller Monroe County, Florida
October 24, 2017
Senate President Joe Negron
305 Senate Office Building
404 S Monroe Street
Tallahassee FL 32399 -1100
Honorable Senator Negron,
Attached is a certified copy of Resolution No. 295 -2017 urging the Florida Legislature to
enact legislation amending F.S. 121.0515 to include qualified pilots and certified flight nurses
employed by a licensed advanced life support (ALS) and /or basic life support (BIS) employer who
provides life- saving air ambulance and interfacility transfer services, who satisfy the requirements
set lortli in Chapter 401, Florida Statutes and any otlier applicable certification requirements
related to medical air ambulance transportation services, in the ` .Waal Risk Class "of
membership in the Florida Retirement System.
'1'liis Resolution was adopted by the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners at a
regular meeting, held in loniial session, on October 18, 2017. Should you have any questions,
please feel free to contact me at (305) 292 -3550.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kevin Madok, CPA, Clerk ol' the
Circuit Court and ex- ollicio to the
Monroe County Board of County
Commissioners
11j'. Pamela G. Hancock, D. C
cc: File
KEY WEST MARATHON PLANTATION KEY
500 Whitehead Street 3117 Overseas Highway 88820 Overseas Highway
Key West, Florida 33040 Marathon, Florida 33050 Plantation Key, Florida 33070
305- 294 - 4641 305- 289 - 6027 305- 852 -7145
PK/ROTH BUILDING
50 High Point Road
Plantation Key, Florida 33070
305- 852 -7145
°�' Kevin Madok CPA
• Court Comptroller — Monroe Count •� Clerk of the Circuit Cou & Co p Florida
October 24, 2017
Senator Anitere Flores
404 Senate Office Building
402 S Monroe Street
Tallahassee FL 32399 -1300
Honorable Representative Flores,
Attaclied is a certified copy of Resolutioni No. 295 -2017 urging the Florida Legislature to
enact legislation amending F.S. 121.0515 to include qualified pilots and certified flight nurses
employed by a licensed advanced lilc support (ALS) and /or basic life support (BLS) employer who
provides life- saving air ambulance and interlacility transfer services, who satisfy the requirements
set forth in Chapter 401, Florida Statutes and any other applicable certification requirements
related to medical air ambulance transportation services, in the `.Vpccial Risk Class "of
membership in the Florida Retirement System.
'1'liis Resolution was adopted by the Monroe County Board of' County Commissioners at a
regular meeting, held in formal session, on October 18, 2017. Should you have any questions,
please feel free to contact me at (305) 292 -3550.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kevin Madok, CPA, Clerk ol' tlic
Circuit Court and ex- ollicio to the
Monroe County Board of County
Commissioners
131. Pxncla G. Hxlcock, D. C'
cc: File
KEY WEST
500 Whitehead Street
Key West, Florida 33040
305- 294 -4641
MARATHON
3117 Overseas Highway
Marathon, Florida 33050
305 - 289 -6027
PLANTATION KEY
88820 Overseas Highway
Plantation Key, Florida 33070
305- 852 -7145
PK/ROTH BUILDING
50 High Point Road
Plantation Key, Florida 33070
305 - 852 -7145
Nx
Kevin Madok, cPa
Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller — Monroe County, Florida
October 24, 2017
Representative Richard Corcoran
Speaker of the House
420 '1 Capitol
402 South Monroe Street
Tallaliassee FL 32399 -1300
Honorable Representative Corcoran,
Attaclhed is a certified copy of Resolution No. 295 -2017 urging the Florida Legislature to
enact legislation amending F.S. 121.0515 to include qualified pilots and certified alight nurses
employed by a licensed advanced life support (AIS) and /or basic life support (BLS) employer wfio
provides life - saving air anibulance and interlacility transfer sci wlio satisfy the requirements
set forth in Cliapter 401, Florida Statutes and any otlier applicable certification requirements
related to medical air anibulance transportation services, in the `,Sj-)ecial Risk Class "of'
membership in the Florida Retirement System.
1'liis Resolution was adopted by the Monroe County Board of' County Commissioners at a
regular meeting, field in formal session, on October 18, 2017. Should you have any questions,
please Teel free to contact me at (305) 292 -3550.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kevin Madok, CPA, Clerk of• the
Circuit Court and ex- oflicio to tic
Monroe County Board of County
Commissioners
By: Pamela G. Hancock, D. C',
cc: File
KEY WEST MARATHON PLANTATION KEY
500 Whitehead Street 3117 Overseas Highway 88820 Overseas Highway
Key West, Florida 33040 Marathon, Florida 33050 Plantation Key, Florida 33070
305- 294 -4641 305- 289 - 6027 305- 852 -7145
PK/ROTH BUILDING
50 High Point Road
Plantation Key, Florida 33070
305- 852 -7145
Kevin Madok, CPA
Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller — Monroe County, Florida
October 24, 2017
Representative Holly Raschein
209 House Office Building
402 S Monroe Street
Tallahassee FL 32399 -1300
Honorable Representative Raschein,
Attached is a certified copy of Resolution No. 295 -2017 urging the Florida Legislature to
enact legislation amending F.S. 121.0515 to include qualified pilots and certified flight nurses
employed by a licensed advanced life support (ALS) and /or basic life support (BLS) employer who
provides life - saving air ambulance and interfacility transfer services, who satisfy die requirements
set forth in Chapter 401, Florida Statutes and any oilier applicable certification requirements
related to medical air ambulance transportation services, in die `:Special Risk Class "of
membership in die Florida Retirement System.
This Resolution was adopted by die Monroe County Board of County Commissioners at a
regular meeting, held informal session, on October 18, 2017. Should you have any questions,
please feel free to contact me at (305) 292 -3550.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kevin Madok, CPA, Clerk of the
Circuit Court and ex- officio to die
Monroe County Board of County
Commissioners
13y. Pamela G. Ha»cock, D. C.
cc: File
KEY WEST
500 Whitehead Street
Key West, Florida 33040
305- 294 -4641
MARATHON
3117 Overseas Highway
Marathon, Florida 33050
305- 289 -6027
PLANTATION KEY
88820 Overseas Highway
Plantation Key, Florida 33070
305 -852 -7145
PK/ROTH BUILDING
50 High Point Road
Plantation Key, Florida 33070
305 - 852 -7145
Kevin Madok, CPA
r Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller — Monroe County, Florida
October 24, 2017
Secretary Ryan Matthews
Florida DEP, Office of the Secretary
3900 Commonwealth Boulevard
Tallahassee FL 32399
Honorable Secretary Matthews,
Attached is a certified copy of Resolution No. 295 -2017 urging the Florida Legislature to
enact legislation amending F.S. 121.0515 to include qualified pilots and certified flight nurses
employed by a licensed advanced life support (ALS) and /or basic life support (131-S) employer who
provides life- saving air ambulance and interlacility transfer services, who satisfy the requirements
set lortli in Chapter 401, Florida Statutes and any other applicable certification requirements
related to medical air ambulance transportation services, in the `:5pccial Risk Class "of
membership in the Florida Retirement System.
"Phis Resolution was adopted by the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners at a
regular meeting, held in formal session, on October 18, 2017. Should you have any questions,
please Teel Tree to contact me at (305) 292 -3550.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kevin Madok, CPA, Clerk of the
Circuit Court and ex- ollicio to the
Monroe County Board of County
Commissioners
131: Pxncla G. Hancock, D.C:
cc: File
KEY WEST MARATHON PLANTATION KEY
500 Whitehead Street 3117 Overseas Highway 88820 Overseas Highway
Key West, Florida 33040 Marathon, Florida 33050 Plantation Key, Florida 33070
305- 294 - 4641 305- 289 - 6027 305- 852 -7145
PK/ROTH BUILDING
50 High Point Road
Plantation Key, Florida 33070
305 - 852 -7145