99-23339 RESO
RESOLUTION NO.
99-23339
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING AN
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH AND
HARRY HEINITSH, M.D. AS MEDICAL DIRECTOR FOR THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS),
FROM OCTOBER 1, 1999 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2000, FOR AN
ANNUAL SALARY OF $65,372; AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND
CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT;FURTHER THAT
THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR SHALL PRESENT HIMSELF AND/OR
BE AVAILABLE AT SUCH TIMES AS REQUIRED BY THE FIRE
CHIEF AND HIS COMMAND STAFF.
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach has contracted with Harry Heinitsh, M.D., to act
as Medical Director for the City's Emergency Medical Service from August 28, 1986 through
September 30, 2000; and
WHEREAS, upon expiration of the latest Agreement, the City wishes to enter into a
new one (1) year Agreement for his services, from October 1, 1999, through September 30,
2000 (Agreement).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DUL Y RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, the Mayor and City
Commission of Miami Beach, Florida, approve and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to
execute an Agreement between the City of Miami Beach and Harry Heinitsh, M.D., as Medical
Director for the City of Miami Beach Emergency Medical Services (EMS), from October 1,
1999 to September 30, 2000, for an annual salary of $65,372; further, the Medical Director
shall present himself and/or be available at such times as required by the Fire Chief and his
Command Staff.
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 6th day of
October
,1999.
ATTEST:
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CITY CLERK & FOR EXECUTION
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MAYOR
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CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33139
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COMMISSION MEMORANDUM NO. ..J..l.i.:.i 9
SUBJECT:
Mayor Neisen Kasdin and DATE: October 6,1999
Members of the City C mission
Sergio Rodriguez I~~
City Manager ~
A Resolution uthorizing the Extension of the Agreement Between Harry
Heinitsh, M.D., and the City of Miami Beach as the Medical Director for the
City of Miami Beach Fire Department.
TO:
FROM:
ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt the Resolution.
BACKGROUND
Florida Statute 401.265 and 64E-2 requires that all Fire Department Emergency Medical Services
have a licensed Medical Director.
The City of Miami Beach entered into an Emergency Medical Service Director Agreement with
Harry Heinitsh, M.D., commencing August 28, 1989. Upon the passing of City Physician, Dr. Leo
Grossman, the City reviewed the qualifications of three (3) Fire Rescue Doctors that it had under
contract at that time, and selected Dr. Heinitsh. He was subsequently offered the position of Medical
Director. Dr. Heinitsh accepted the position and the "EMS Medical Director Agreement" was
established with a provision that the term may be extended for one (1) year, upon mutual agreement
by both parties.
Agenda Item C ~ l F
Date I 0 ~to- C1 q
Commission Memorandum
Page 2
ANALYSIS
In addition to being Medical Director, Dr. Heinitsh also serves as a Quality Assurance Officer and
Infection Control Officer for the Fire Department. Furthermore, he has a Memorandum of
Understanding for medical direction with our Beach Patrol, Medical Dispatching and Police
S.W.A.T. Medics, at no extra cost to the City.
A comparison survey of other Medical Directors salaries and hours of work (see attachment) within
Miami-Dade County illustrates that the full time contract with Dr. Heinitsh is a greater value and
benefit for the City of Miami Beach. The Cities of Coral Gables and Hialeah pay their Medical
Directors, respectively, $40,000 'and $45,000 per year for a two-hour work week. That computes
to $384 per hour. Dr. Heinitsh's minimum 40 hours per week computes to $30 per hour. A full-time
Medical Director has provided Miami Beach with the highest level of quality medical oversight and
direction. A part-time Medical Director will reduce the quality and value we now receive without
the quality assurance required by the State for emergency medical dispatch and the EMT s employed
by Beach Patrol.
Dr. Heinitsh is also provided a 24-hour vehicle used to respond to any medical hazardous material,
complaint or issue at a medical facility requiring the attention of a physician. Though the actual
number of responses are not recorded, Dr. Heinitsh has always responded to every incident, without
direction, where his expertise is needed.
Fire Administration is requesting a 2% increase in the current salary of $64,090 for a new salary of
$65,372, for the next contract year beginning October 1, 1999. The current salary has been in effect
since October I, 1997.
CONCLUSION
It is in the best interest ofthe City of Miami Beach to renew and extend the contractual agreement
from October 1, 1999 through September 30,2000.
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Attachment
EMS MEDICAL DIRECTOR AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT made this 14th day of September, 1999 by and between the CITY OF MIAMI
BEACH, a Florida Municipal Corporation having an address of 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach,
Florida 33139 (City), and HARRY HEINITSH, M.D., having an address of 6396 Manor Lane, Apartment 6,
South Miami, Florida 33143 (Contractor).
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, The City wishes to enter into an agreement for Medical Director of the City's
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) provided by the City's Fire Department (Agreement); and
WHEREAS, Contractor wishes to serve as the Medical Director for the City's EMS.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and other good
and valuable consideration the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged the parties agree as
follows:
1. Term. The term of the Agreement shall be for one (1) year, commencing on the 1st of October
1999, and ending on the 30th Day of September 2000. The term may be extended by mutual agreement of
the parties hereto.
2. Services. Contractor agrees to direct and coordinate the delivery of the City's EMS system in
accordance with the State of Florida Department of Health; F.A.C. 64E-2.004 Medical Direction, F.S. 401.265
Medical Directors, and other pertinent State, County and Local Laws. A copy of 64E-2.004 and F .S. 401.265
are attached hereto as Exhibit "A" and by reference made a part hereof. Contractor acknowledges that he has
read and is familiar with the foregoing codes and statues.
3. Payment. City agrees to pay Contractor compensation for the above services at an annual rate of
sixty five thousand three hundred seventy two dollars ($65,372.00), payable in 26 equal bi-weekly amounts.
4. Medical Malpractice Insurance. City agrees to provide, on behalf of Contractor, medical
malpractice liability insurance for the period of time he acts as the City's Medical Director. Such insurance
shall cover Contractor only for the activities relating to Contractor's capacity as Medical Director and not to
any other activities of Contractor. City shall have the option to self insure Contractor's medical malpractice
liability, to the extent permitted by law, but only up to the limits of liability set forth in Section 768.28,
Florida Statutes.
5. No Partnership. Nothing herein contained shall create or be construed as creating a co-
partnership between the City and the Contractor or to constitute the Contractor as an agent of the City.
Contractor shall be deemed to be an independent contractor and not an agent or employee of the City; and
shall not attain any rights or benefits under the Civil Service or Pension Ordinance of the City; or any rights
generally afforded classified or unclassified employees. Furthermore, he shall not be entitled to Florida
Workman's Compensation benefits as an employee of the City or accumulation of sick or annual leave.
6. It is further agreed that this Agreement may be altered, extended and amended only upon the prior
written consent of both parties. Contractor shall not assign, transfer or subcontract his rights and obligations
under this Agreement.
7. The Contractor covenants that he presently has no interest and shall not acquire any interest, direct
nor indirectly, which should conflict in any manner or degree with the performance of the services to be
provided hereunder.
8. This Agreement may be terminated without cause for the convenience of either party at any time
upon furnishing sixty (60) days' written notice to the other party.
In the event of termination for convenience of either party, the Contractor shall be paid a sum equal
to all payments due to him up to the date of termination of this Agreement, provided Contractor is continuing
to provide all services pursuant to the Agreement up to the date of termination.
9. Contractor agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless, the City of Miami Beach and its
officers, employees and agents, from and against any and all actions, claims, liabilities, losses and expenses,
including, but not limited to, attorney's fees, for personal, economic or bodily injury, wrongful death, loss of
or damage to property, in law or in equity, which may arise or be alleged to have arisen from the negligent
acts or omission or other wrongful conduct of the Contractor in connection with the Contractor's performance
of services pursuant to this Agreement. The Contractor's obligation under this article shall not include the
obligation to indemnify the City of Miami Beach and its officers, employees and agents, from and against any
actions or claims which arise or are alleged to have arisen from negligent acts or omissions or other wrongful
conduct of the City and its officers, employees or agents. The parties each agree to give the other party
prompt notice of any claim coming to its knowledge that in any way directly or indirectly affects the other
party.
10. The City desires to enter into this Agreement only if in so doing the City can place a limit on
City's liability for any cause of action for money damages due to an alleged breach by the City of this
Agreement, so that its liability for any such breach never exceeds the sum of $5,000.00. Contractor hereby
expresses its willingness to enter into this Agreement with Contractor's recovery from the City for any damage
action for breach of contract to be limited to a maximum amount of $5,000.00. Accordingly, and
notwithstanding any other term or condition of this Agreement, Contractor hereby agrees that the City shall
not be liable to Contractor for damages in an amount in excess of$5,000.00 for any action or claim for breach
of contract arising out of the performance or non-performance of any obligations imposed upon the City by
this Agreement. Nothing contained in this subparagraph or elsewhere in this Agreement is in any way
intended to be a waiver of the limitation placed upon City's liability as set forth in Section 768.28, Florida
Statutes.
11. All notices under the term of this Agreement shall be sent to the following:
CONTRACTOR:
DR. HARRY HEINITSH
6396 MANOR LANE
APT. #6
SOUTH MIAMI, FL 33143
CITY:
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE
MIAMI BEACH, FL 33139
WITH COPIES TO:
OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE
MIAMI BEACH, FL 33139
12. This Agreement shall be enforceable in Dade County, Florida and if legal action is necessary by
either party with respect to the enforcement of any and all terms or conditions herein, exclusive venue for the
enforcement of same shall lie in Dade County, Florida.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their
appropriate officials, as of the date first entered above.
ATTEST
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CITY CLERK
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CITY OE MIAMI BEACH
CONTRACTOR
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Miami Dade County
Coral Gables
Miami
Hialeab
MEDICAL DIRECTORS
COMPARATIVE SALARIES
$80,000 + $20,000 (fringe benefits)
Medical Director
$27,500
Assistant Medical Director
$40,000
Medical Director
(part-time, 2 bours per week)
$95,000
$45,000
(part-time, 2 bours per week)
Attacbment
.
WHAT IS AN FlfS MEDICAL DIRECTOR
An EMS Medical Director is the individual primarily responsible for
the care rendered to patients by the EMS agency. He must by law
assume full responsibility for the actions of the EMT's and
paramedics in the field. He is responsible to take steps to assure
that the quality of care rendered meets an acceptable standard.
He discharges this responsibility in four primary ways. First, by
overseeing and requiring change in EMS system design. This is done
primarily by establishin~ a set of standing orders and protocols
directing the actions of his paramedics and EMT's in the care of
their patients, but further by communicating with and interacting
with administrative personnel in the proper design of operational
procedm"es, all of which must be tailor-made to the particular
needs of that agency.
Second, through education - both direct teaching of his field staff
and supervising the actions of training personnel to assure that
field personnel have the necessary knowledge and skills.
Third, through performance review and discipline by maintaining an
ongoing quality assurance retrospective assessment program,
problems are identified and remedies attempted. Further; when
individuals whose care persistently fails to meet the standard,
disciplinary action on the authority of the Medical Director
precludes them from continuing to provide care beyond their level
of acceptable function.
Fourth, by acting as a liaison between the EMS Organization and the
medical community both locally and at a state and national level,
the Medical Director provides a vital link in the essential
teamwork interaction, which is the cornerstone of all emergency
medicine activities.
The operational directors are the nervous system and skeleton of an
EMS organization. The field personnel are its muscular system,
the hands of the organization. The Medical Director leadership is
truly the heart of any EMS organization and, as such, he is
responsible for its vitality.