Seneca Healthcare District (Seneca) has been receiving a lot of questions from community members about EMS Services in our area. This factoid should help answer some of these questions.
Let’s start with the definition of EMS!
Emergency Medical Services (EMS), also known as ambulance services or paramedic services, are emergency services that provide urgent pre-hospital treatment and stabilization for serious illness and injuries and transport to definitive care.
An ambulance is a vehicle, vessel or craft that holds a valid permit issued by the Office of EMS and that is specially constructed, equipped, maintained, and operated, and intended to be used for emergency medical care and the transportation of patients who are sick, injured, wounded, or otherwise incapacitated or helpless.
Who provides EMS services in the area now?
Chester Fire Department, which is part of the Chester Public Utility District (CPUD), provides both EMS and fire suppression services.
Peninsula Fire Department provides both EMS and fire suppression services.
SEMSA (located in Westwood, based out of Susanville) also provides EMS services.
REMSA – Care Flight provides services to Quincy and Indian Valley through a contractual relationship with Plumas District Hospital (Also a Critical Access Hospital).
Why is Seneca looking into the possibility of engaging in EMS services?
CPUD is facing serious financial challenges, including a budgeted shortfall of $1.25M for the current fiscal year, with most of the shortfall attributable to the Fire Department (the approved budget can be found on the CPUD website).
CPUD is asking the community to approve a ballot measure in November to bring $557,600 in additional funding to the Fire Department and looking for more funding elsewhere.
Seneca Healthcare District is a designated Critical Access Hospital (CAH). As such it is eligible to receive special reimbursement considerations known as “Cost based Reimbursement” if the following conditions are met.
• The Cost based Reimbursement only applies to the CAH licensed EMS/ambulance services if there IS NOT another EMS service offered within a 35-mile radius of the hospital as noted in 42 CFR. 413.70 (b) (5) (i).
Is it possible for Seneca Healthcare District to operate EMS for the Lake Almanor Basin and surrounding area?
Seneca Healthcare Administration has been researching options and speaking with governing agencies to understand the details of assuming EMS in the basin. Additionally, Seneca requires a comprehensive understanding of the total costs associated with the service If Seneca were to begin operating EMS services.Those services would fall under Seneca’s critical access hospital licensure and liability, which would require Seneca’s oversight to ensure that operations are running smoothly and in compliance with all applicable regulations. It would not be responsible for Seneca to serve simply as a “billing company” because it would be unacceptable to risk Seneca’s license and ability to run its existing operations.
Does Seneca want to run EMS services?
Seneca’s preference would be to focus on doing what it does now – managing its hospital, clinic, and skilled nursing facility, along with building the community’s new hospital. However, as a community healthcare provider, we are concerned about the availability of EMS and pre-hospital care in the basin. We are trying to balance the EMS delivery options while remaining steadfast in our commitment to financial stewardship and responsibility of Seneca Healthcare District.
Where do things stand?
Seneca’s Board approved the investment of ~ $15,000 to have an independent financial feasibility study conducted by WipFli corporation, who also completed the feasibility analysis for the new hospital - the study to determine whether it would be financially prudent for Seneca to engage in providing EMS services is currently in progress. Seneca’s Board has repeatedly affirmed that due to the critical importance of EMS services to the community, this analysis would only have to show that the service would financially break even.
Seneca’s board members and staff members live in this community and are doing everything possible to ensure continuous ambulance services for the Lake Almanor Basin and surrounding areas.
Is it possible for Seneca to engage in fire suppression services?
No. Seneca could potentially help the community with EMS services, but fire suppression would have to be provided by a fire department or Cal Fire.
Connor brought his friends to enjoy a day on the lake. His family generously purchased one of our donations to the many good causes that the beautiful people of this basin carry out each year.
. We have our C.C. Beanie apparel out and ready to help you stay warm as it starts cooling down! Pop on in and check ‘em out
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Chester Library Children's Storytime at 11:00am Today
Scarecrow Contest 
Wild Things Floral and Gift One Year Anniversary!
Chester Rotary Presents Chester Playground Renovation Project
Book Giveaway Month
Words and Music with Chester Resident Richard Elloyan 
Lake Almanor Community Church Harvest Craft Fair
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9/21/23
