Fire Department Medical Director

The Santa Monica Fire Department (SMFD) is seeking a qualified physician to serve as the Provider Agency Medical Director through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process. The contract is an initial three-year term with potential one-year renewals, focusing on comprehensive medical oversight for the department's Emergency Medical Services (EMS) programs. The selected Medical Director will be responsible for advising on prehospital medical care, reviewing EMS training, developing patient care procedures, evaluating medical equipment, and overseeing innovative programs like the Advanced Provider Unit (APU) and Ambulance Operator Program. The department responds to approximately 18,000 annual calls, including 12,000 emergency medical calls, treating 10,500 patients and transporting 8,500 patients. Proposers must meet specific requirements established by the Los Angeles County EMS Agency, including board certification in Emergency Medicine and current knowledge of EMS policies and protocols. The proposal must include a cover letter, experience in EMS medical direction, proposed approach to the scope of work, references, and a resume/CV. The evaluation process will consider panel interviews, technical competence, references, and cost, with a total possible score of 100 points. The RFP was posted on September 25, 2025, with proposals due by October 16, 2025.

The RFP does not explicitly specify set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations. While the opportunity requires a physician with specific medical qualifications, there are no apparent limitations on the type of entity that can submit a proposal. The contract appears to be structured as a Professional Services Agreement, with a compensation structure based on a not-to-exceed amount to be specified in the final agreement. Proposers must maintain appropriate insurance coverage, including Commercial General Liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence), Automobile Liability ($1,000,000 per accident), Workers' Compensation, and Professional Liability insurance ($1,000,000 per occurrence). The insurance requirements specify that insurers must be authorized to conduct business in California with an A.M. Best rating of at least A:VII. While a specific budget range is not disclosed in the provided documents, the comprehensive medical director responsibilities and the department's significant annual call volume suggest a substantive contract value. The Professional Services Agreement template indicates flexibility in contract terms, with the potential for termination with or without cause and standard provisions for invoicing, payment, and compliance with local and federal laws.