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Home My WebLink About2021-01-12; City Council; ; Regional COVID-19 Vaccination CoordinationMeeting Date: Jan. 12, 2021 To: Mayor and City Council From: Scott Chadwick, City Manager Staff Contact: Michael Calderwood, Fire Chief michael.calderwood@carlsbadca.gov, 760-931-2141 Geoff Patnoe, Assistant City Manager geoff.patnoe@carlsbadca.gov, 760-434-2820 Subject: Regional COVID-19 Vaccination Coordination Districts: Citywide Recommended Action 1.Receive a presentation regarding the Carlsbad Fire Department’s participation in Operation Collaboration, a regional COVID-19 vaccination program. 2.Adopt a resolution empowering the Director of Emergency Services to authorize emergency use of the vacant Biotech and Beyond Building in the Farmers Building complex at 2351 Faraday Ave as a point of distribution for Operation Collaboration and other regionwide COVID-19 vaccination or testing programs coordinated by emergency services agencies. Executive Summary This report provides an overview of the Carlsbad Fire Department’s participation in Operation Collaboration, a regional effort led by San Diego County’s Health and Human Services Agency, CalFire, and other emergency service agencies. The operation is intended to provide COVID-19 vaccinations following the guidance the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the State of California issued for vaccine distribution. Staff is seeking the City Council’s approval of a resolution empowering the Director of Emergency Services to authorize emergency use of the Biotech and Beyond Building to provide a regional point of distribution in Carlsbad for emergency service personnel, essential workers, and possibly others in the community to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. Discussion The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the State of California’s Department of Public Health have provided guidance for the administration of COVID-19 vaccines to the community in phases and tiers (Exhibit 3). The current tier being administered, Tier 1A, involves the first vaccines administered outside of clinical trials under an emergency use authorization issued by the Food and Drug Administration. This includes health care workers and the segments of the population most at risk, such as people in group care facilities. The second tier, Tier 1B, focuses on maintaining critical infrastructure by providing vaccines to essential workers. The end goal is to make vaccines available to the broader population to normalize and Jan. 12, 2021 Item #6 Page 1 of 11 reopen the community. This effort is deemed critical by federal, state and local health authorities.1 The Carlsbad Fire Department is actively engaging stakeholders around the region to ensure all eligible personnel are offered the vaccine at the earliest opportunity. The department is supporting this effort in partnership with CalFire, San Diego County’s Health and Human Services Agency, which controls vaccine allocation at the local level, and 21 other agencies. The initiative is named Operation Collaboration. It’s the broadest and most effective method available for delivering vaccines within the tiered guidelines for San Diego County, and has provided vaccinations to personnel at 34 agencies in the region so far. The Carlsbad Fire Department has provided leadership and staffing for Operation Collaboration to support the ongoing vaccine distribution effort countywide. The effort is structured to provide county health authorities with additional methods for vaccinating and tracking vaccinations for EMS personnel and other first responders. In preparation for this effort, all Fire Department personnel have received training and orientation on vaccines and the supporting science. San Diego County paramedics have been approved by state and local authorities to deliver vaccines under what is called a local optional scope of practice. The vaccines currently available require two doses administered 21 or 28 days apart, depending on the manufacturer. It is anticipated that all eligible members who opt to receive vaccination will be vaccinated by the end of January. The incident management team will track vaccinated personnel and provide progress updates to both county and local government management as appropriate. Fire Department staff will also monitor the progress of vaccinations and develop operational strategies to manage and accommodate any personnel who decline vaccination. Lessons learned throughout the Tier 1A vaccination effort will be compiled and implemented in subsequent vaccination tiers. This initiative is expected to continue for approximately six months as the county makes vaccines available for subsequent phases. As the broader healthcare infrastructure becomes equipped to deliver the COVID vaccine, Operation Collaboration may reduce or discontinue its efforts. Currently, the Fire Department is providing support in the following ways: • Policy Group - Fire Chief Michael Calderwood • Operational management - Assistant Fire Chief Nick Ordille (North Branch Director) • Operations - Trained personnel staffing at the point of distribution o Six local agencies in a cooperative staffing model o Four days per week o Eight shifts staffed per week with eight hour shifts • Carlsbad point of distribution facility - Biotech and Beyond Building o Other point of distribution locations placed throughout county 1 The City Council received a memorandum from Fire Chief Calderwood on Dec. 31, 2020, providing information on the tiered approach to administering COVID-19 vaccinations, Operation Collaboration and the Fire Department’s support and participation with vaccine distribution efforts. It is attached as Exhibit 2. A news release on the effort is attached as Exhibit 4. Jan. 12, 2021 Item #6 Page 2 of 11 To assure a continued regional point of distribution for the COVID-19 vaccination efforts, staff recommends that the City Council empower the Director of Emergency Services to authorize emergency use of the Biotech and Beyond Building as a point of distribution for Operation Collaboration and other regionwide vaccination or testing programs coordinated by emergency services agencies. Fiscal Analysis Fire Department personnel overtime expenditures for Operation Collaboration are estimated at $100,000. This estimate includes overtime expenses to staff two positions, four days per week for eight-hour shifts for six months. The estimate also includes four weeks of personnel overtime costs for initial planning to help establish the program. This expenditure may continue until vaccination phases are complete or until other healthcare infrastructure can help vaccinate the community. Additional overtime personnel costs will be tracked and recorded as a COVID-19 expense and will be covered with budget appropriated from the $3 million General Fund reserve previously allocated for COVID-19 expenses. There is approximately $600,000 remaining from the $3 million allocation. The Finance Department may need to request an additional allocation of funds to pay for COVID-19 expenses if additional needs require the fund balance to be replenished. Operation Collaboration has said reimbursement may be available for expenses committed to the effort. The Fire Department will seek reimbursement if it becomes available. Next Steps The Biotech and Beyond facility has already been set up to accommodate the effort under an emergency authorization. The Fire Department will continue to track vaccinated personnel and the Director of Emergency Services will allow emergency use of the Farmers Building for regional vaccination and testing programs coordinated by emergency services agencies. Vaccination coordination and assistance will be provided to the Police Department personnel and other city staff determined by county health authorities to be critical infrastructure workers, in accordance with the vaccination phases outlined by the state and county public health officials. Environmental Evaluation (CEQA) This action does not constitute a project within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act under California Public Resources Code Section 21065 in that it has no potential to cause either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment and therefore does not require environmental review. Public Notification Public notice of this item was posted in keeping with the Ralph M. Brown Act and it was available for public viewing and review at least 72 hours before the scheduled meeting date. Exhibits 1. City Council Resolution 2. Dec. 31, 2020, Council Memorandum - Vaccination for Fire Department EMS Personnel Jan. 12, 2021 Item #6 Page 3 of 11 3. Vaccination Phases and Tiers 4. Jan. 3, 2021, News Release - Operation Collaboration First Responder COVID-19 Vaccinations Jan. 12, 2021 Item #6 Page 4 of 11 RESOLUTION NO. 2021-005 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, EMPOWERING THE DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY SERVICES TO AUTHORIZE EMERGENCY USE OF THE BIOTECH AND BEYOND BUILDING AS A REGIONAL POINT OF DISTRIBUTION FOR COVID-19 VACCINATION AND TESTING PROGRAMS COORDINATED BY EMERGENCY SERVICES AGENCIES WHEREAS, the City of Carlsbad Fire Department collaborated with local fire and health agencies to develop a regional COVID-19 vaccination campaign called Operation Collaboration; and WHEREAS, Operation Collaboration provides COVID-19 vaccinations following the guidance provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Center and the State of California for phased and tiered vaccination distribution; and WHEREAS, the Fire Department will administer COVID-19 vaccinations to eligible emergency service personnel, essential workers, and possibly others in the community; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California desires to empower the Director of Emergency Services to authorize emergency use of the Biotech and Beyond Building in the Farmers Building Complex at 2351 Faraday Ave. as a regional point of distribution for COVID-19 vaccination and testing programs coordinated by emergency services agencies. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, as follows: 1.That the above recitations are true and correct. 2.The Director of Emergency Services is empowered to authorize emergency use of the Biotech and Beyond Building as a regional point of distribution for COVID-19 vaccination and testing programs coordinated by emergency services agencies. 3.The Director of Emergency Services may take any further action necessary and appropriate to carry out the purpose and intent of this emergency order. 4.The authorization in this resolution shall remain in effect for the duration of the local COVID-19 pandemic emergency unless terminated earlier by City Council action. IH Jan. 12, 2021 Item #6 Page 5 of 11 PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Carlsbad on the 12th day ofianuary, 2021, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: Hall, Blackburn, Acosta, Bhat-Patel, Schumacher. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. MATT HALL, Mayor _VWig *ie' BARBARA ENGLESON, City Clerk (SEAL) Jan. 12, 2021 Item #6 Page 6 of 11 Exhibit 2 Jan. 12, 2021 Item #6 Page 7 of 11 Jan. 12, 2021 Item #6 Page 8 of 11 Jan. 12, 2021 Item #6 Page 9 of 11 VACCINATION PHASES/TIERS OPERATION COLLABORATION Operation Collaboration is conducting vaccinations based on the Phases and Tiers outlined by San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA). The operation is currently vaccinating individuals in Tier 1 of Phase 1A: Paramedic, Emergency Medical Technicians and other providing emergency medical services. Phase 1A* •HEALTHCARE PERSONNEL •EMPLOYEES & RESIDENTS of long-term care facilities 1A-Tier 1 •Acute care, psychiatric, and correctional facility hospitals+ •Skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, and similar settings for older or medically vulnerable individuals o Include residents in these settings as recommended for Phase 1A by ACIP •Paramedics, EMTs, and others providing emergency medical services •Dialysis centers 1A-Tier 2 •Intermediate care, for persons who need non‐continuous nursing supervision, and supportive care •Home healthcare and in‐home supportive services •Community health workers, including promotors •Public health field staff •Primary care clinics, including Federally Qualified Health Centers, Rural Health Centers, correctional facility clinics, and urgent care clinics 1A-Tier 3 •Other settings and healthcare workers, including: Specialty clinics, laboratory workers, dental/oral health clinics, pharmacy staff not working in settings at higher tiers Phase 1B** •ESSENTIAL WORKERS (e.g., Education sector, food & agriculture, utilities, police, firefighters, corrections officers, transportation) Phase 1C** •Adults with high-risk MEDICAL CONDITIONS •Adults 65+ DocuSign Envelope ID: B58F8245-9EEC-4F95-8C6E-900BDE522C2B Exhibit 3 Jan. 12, 2021 Item #6 Page 10 of 11 NEWS RELEASE OPERATION COLLABORATION FIRST RESPONDER COVID-19 VACCINATIONS January 3, 2021 - Fire agencies across San Diego County have played an active role throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and have now begun the COVID-19 vaccination process for first responders in the County. This effort has been carried out alongside San Diego County Health & Human Services Agency (HHSA), working to vaccinate Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Paramedic responders in what is known as Operation Collaboration. First Responders are on the front lines of the COVID-19 Response, and Operation Collaboration brings together multiple agencies to meet the need of vaccinating those that are most exposed to the virus. “This vaccination process will help keep responders safe and will ensure that these personnel are available to continue serving communities throughout San Diego County,” said Dan Barron, San Marcos Fire Chief and Unified Incident Commander. First Responder vaccine administration began December 30th, with vaccination operations running daily. Vaccination sites, also known as Points of Distribution (PODs), have been set up to meet the need for fire agencies throughout San Diego County. PODs are rotating between San Marcos, Carlsbad and Rancho San Diego (CAL FIRE/San Diego County Fire Headquarters) – with additional sites being evaluated. The partnership between local fire and health agencies has built the framework for the vaccination process going forward, and will give all EMT and Paramedic first responders in San Diego County the opportunity to get vaccinated for COVID-19. For more information, please contact: Thomas Shoots, Fire Captain/PIO 619-922-4528 Thomas.Shoots@fire.ca.gov AGENCIES SERVED BY OPERATION COLLABORATION (IN ADDITION TO THOSE LISTED IN THE RIGHT COLUMN) INCLUDE: CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS • CAMPO RESERVATION FD • CLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST • LA JOLLA RESERVATION FD • PALA RESERVATION FD • PAUMA RESERVATION FD • RINCON RESERVATION FD • SAN PASQUAL RESERVATION FD • SYCUAN FD • US FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE Alpine FPD American Medical Response Barona FD Bonita-Sunnyside FPD Borrego Springs FD Carlsbad FD Deer Springs FPD Del Mar FD Encinitas FD Escondido FD Heartland FRD Lakeside FPD Mercy Ambulance North County FPD Oceanside FD Ramona FPD Rancho Santa Fe FPD San Marcos FD San Miguel FPD Santee FD Solana Beach FD Valley Center FPD Vista FD Exhibit 4 Jan. 12, 2021 Item #6 Page 11 of 11 COVID Vaccination Operation Collaboration Michael Calderwood, Fire Chief Nick Ordille, Assistant Fire Chief Nate Pearson, Division Chief January 12, 2021 COVID Vaccination •Vaccination became available Dec. 2020 •Federal, State and County guidance dictates delivery of vaccines 2 IJHASA HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY LIVE WELL SAN DIEGO COVID Vaccination •San Diego County Health and Human Services controls local vaccine distribution –Responsible for equitable distribution –Phased approach 3 Operation Collaboration •Cooperative regional effort •Supported by Health and Human Services •Staffed by Paramedics –Using local optional scope of practice •Distribute COVID vaccines within Phase/Tiers 4 Operation Collaboration 5 •San Diego Health and Human Services Phases and Tiers –Currently in Phase 1A •Includes Healthcare Workers and Employees and Residents of Long Term Care Facilities Operation Collaboration 6 •San Diego Health and Human Services Phases and Tiers (continued) –Next Phase 1B •Will not begin until Phase 1A is near completion •Includes Essential Workers –Police, utilities, transportation Operation Collaboration •Points of Distribution –Carlsbad, San Marcos, El Cajon •Carlsbad Points of Distribution –Former Biotech and Beyond facility •2351 Faraday Ave –Mobile PODs for Long Term Care facilities 7 Operation Collaboration 8 •Expected six month commitment •Vaccines provided by appointment or on site for mobile operations •Minimal impact to traffic or surrounding businesses Next Steps •Approve resolution empowering the Director of Emergency Services to authorize use of the city facility at 2351 Faraday Ave. for the duration of declared emergency •Track expenditures and seek reimbursement when available –Overtime and staffing expenses estimated to be $100,000 •Track and report progress through Phases and Tiers •Prepare to scale operations to meet demand 9