Fort Walton Beach Resolution — 2013 -06 Support Trauma Center — reading text

WSPO ITlON RESOLUTION 2013 -6 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING THE APPROVAL OF A STATE VERIFIED TRAUMA CENTER IN OKALOOSA COUNTY, AND SETTING AN EFFECTIVE DATE NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA THAT: WHEREAS, the State of Florida has an existing system of trauma care consisting of eight Level I Trauma Centers, sixteen Level II Trauma Centers and six Pediatric Trauma Centers; and WHEREAS, it has been demonstrated that a well- coordinated system of Trauma Centers saves lives; and WHEREAS, Chapter 395, Part II of the Florida Statutes authorizes the Florida Department of Health to allocate by rule the number of Trauma Centers needed in a geographic area; and WHEREAS, Chapter 395, Part II of the Florida Statutes further authorizes the Florida Department of Health to adopt rule F.A.C. 64J -2 establishing the standards that hospitals are required to meet in order to become a Trauma Center; and WHEREAS, a hospital can make application to become a State -verified Trauma Center if it meets those specialized standards of trauma care; and WHEREAS, there currently exist hospitals within Okaloosa County with the capability and commitment to make application to become a State -verified Trauma Center; and WHEREAS, the closest Trauma Centers to the City of Fort Walton Beach are located in Pensacola and require lengthy ground and air transport of critically injured patients; and WHEREAS, many times there are unique challenges to our area of the state such as poor weather, poor transportation infrastructure, geographical barriers, and significant seasonal traffic congestion with over 4. 5 million documented visitors per year that may impede access to trauma care; and WHEREAS, a Trauma Center located in Okaloosa County will address these challenges and ultimately reduce response and transport times and improve access to trauma care; and NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA THAT:  Section 1. The City Council supports the efforts and application of any qualified hospital in Okaloosa County to become a State -verified Trauma Center. Section 2. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon approval by the City Council and signature of the Mayor. 12th Adopted by the City Council on this day of February, 2013. Mike Anderson, Mayor Attest: Approved for form, le s cy Helen Spencer, City Jerk ffayw Dykes, Jr., C ttom Additions are underlined; deletions ns are ^ tree en  City of Fort Walton Beach America' s Most Beautiful Beaches 107 Miracle Strip Parkway, SW * Fort Walton Beach, Fl 32548 850) 833 -9500 * Fax ( 850) 833 -9640` wvvw. fwb.or TDD ( 850) 833 -9925 Mike Anderson Mayor 850- 833 -9510 manderson(a,fwb.org 13 February 2013 The Honorable Greg Evers 598 North Ferdon Blvd. Crestview, Florida 32536 Dear Senator Evers: At its regularly scheduled Council meeting of February 12, 2013, the Fort Walton Beach City Council adopted the attached Resolution 2013 -6 supporting the approval of a State verified Trauma Center in Okaloosa County. The City of Fort Walton Beach supports the efforts and application of any qualified hospital in Okaloosa County to become a State -verified Trauma Center. We urge you to support this effort as well. Regards, An Mayor mp Enc.  o o w o 07 m n r J x o CD 0- s o o nW ol o c r  o. t3 V y r^ 7 x n G O D a O n r o Z r Na_ N Nn  1. REP GAETZ,,A t 2. SEN GAETZ . 6 3 EP BROXSON DOU CEO FWB OSPITAL 5. H CA , a EPARTMENT OF HEALTH 01 R_QA U 41-