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2 <br />Emergency Services, with the assistance of the County Attorney's Office, is recommending to <br />the Board updates to "An Ordinance Regulating Emergency Medical, First Responder and <br />Rescue Service and Granting of Franchise and Contracts to the Operators In the County of <br />Orange" (Franchise Ordinance). Prior to granting franchises, North Carolina law requires a <br />public hearing to help the Board determine if the franchise is "necessary to assure the provision <br />of adequate and continuing ambulance services and to preserve, protect, and promote the <br />public health, safety, and welfare." Once the Board makes this finding, it can permit the <br />franchise by ordinance. Between now and March 31, 2010, persons wishing to receive a <br />franchise will apply for a franchise and the Board will make a decision as to whether it will grant <br />the franchise. <br />An extension to the rescue squad's franchise agreements will allow the squads an opportunity <br />to review any changes to the Ordinance made by the Board and modify service delivery as <br />necessary prior to coming forward to the Board to ask for a franchise. Either franchisee could <br />come before the Board prior to March 31, 2010 with an application to be franchised; however, <br />the extension of the Franchise would be effective until March 31, 2010. <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: None <br />RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve on second <br />reading the Ordinance extending the franchise until March 31, 2010, under the same terms and <br />conditions of the current Franchise Agreement by Ordinance of Orange EMS & Rescue Squad, <br />Inc. and Technical Rescue Services, Inc. adopted by the Board on December 14, 2004. <br />