HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/05/2007 FireMed Program Update
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date:
Meeting Type:
Department:
Staff Contact:
March 5, 2007
Work Session
Fire & Life Safety
Dennis M~~
Bart Noll ~~ -
726-3737
20 Minutes
SPRINGFIELD
CITY COUNCIL
ITEM TITLE: FIREMED PROGRAM UPDATE
Staff Phone No:
Estimated Time:
ACTION
REQUESTED:
ISSUE
STATEMENT:
None
The FireMed program is making several changes for the 2007 FireMed membership
campaign, April 1 - June 30, 2007. Eugene Fire & EMS has rejoined the FireMed
partnership with Lane Rural Fire/Rescue and Springfield Fire & Life Safety.
FireMed also negotiated a marketing partnership with REACH Air Medical
Services, Inc. to provide an air ambulance option to FireMed members. REACH
operates a helicopter from the Corvallis airport. The addition of Eugene Fire & EMS
and REACH, Inc. adds $243,000 to the FireMed budget which significantly
enhances the ability to add new members and achieve a successful campaign.
ATTACHMENTS:
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DISCUSSIONI
FINANCIAL
IMP ACT:
The financial impact of these changes depends on the success of the revised FireMed
campaign. A supplemental budget request will include the budget increases later this
month. Funding for the increases in spending will come from FireMed's new
partners and be applied to increased promotional efforts. If the marketing campaign
is successful as anticipated, membership will increase, providing benefits to more
citizens and enhancing ambulance operating revenue for all ofthe FireMed partners.
Firel\1ed selected Ad Group, through an RFP process, as the marketing and
advertising campaign manager for the 2008 campaign. Ad Group staff members
have worked for FireMed locally as well as with other agencies, since the inception
of FireMed in 1986. They last worked for our FireMed program in 1999 . We expect
that Ad Group's expertise and the larger marketing budget will bring FireMed out of
its recent loss of membership, and provide new growth. By continuing a quality
. marketing program, the membership growth should continue into the future.
The air ambulance option will provide FireMed with better access to younger,
working-age members. Active, younger, people have more need of air ambulance
service. Their exposure to costs of all ambulance service is also higher due to
increases in co-pays and deductibles in health insurance plans. REACH offered
FireMed a preferred membership rate, not offered to other partners, that makes the
combined ground plus air ambulance membership package very attractive. FireMed
will still offer a ground ambulance-only membership option for those who do not
choose to add air ambulance.
FireMed will also revive the JobCare program last offered in 2004. JobCare offers a
$5 discounted membership through employers. Employers may choose to add to the
discount or pay the entire membership fee for their employees. This program had
over 750 members in 2004, after only three years of existence. JobCare also has the
potential to stimulate membership growth among younger members in the future.