Emergency Medical Services: Dispatch
2019-2020 Legislative Session
Author by Assemblymember Gipson
Summary: Would prohibit a public agency from delegating, assigning, or contracting for “911” emergency call processing or notification duties regarding the dispatch of emergency response resources unless the delegation or assignment is to, or the contract or agreement is with, another public agency. The bill would further exempt from that prohibition a public agency that is a joint powers authority that contracted for emergency response resources on or before January 1, 2019, under certain conditions. The bill would state the Legislature’s intent to affirm and clarify a public agency’s duty and authority to develop emergency communication procedures and respond quickly to a person seeking emergency services through the “911” emergency telephone system.
CRPA Position: This bill would disrupt the long-term, successful dispatch operations currently existing in parts of California where public agencies partner with private corporations under strict contractual terms and healthy oversight. The precipitating cause of this bill is an isolated issue which should be remedied within that local region.