Minutes 02-02-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Manager recommends that the Board receive the public comments, deliberate on the need for ambulance services, make a determination as to whether a need exists to permit by franchise an ambulance service, and if the Board determines a need exists, direct staff to negotiate with franchise applicants on a Franchise Agreement to bring to the Board. PUBLIC COMMENT: Tony Blake thanked John Roberts for clarifying the amendment to the volunteer fire departments. He said that as a citizen he sees opaqueness with the ES department. He said that it seems like there is an opportunity for inclusion in some of these peer review boards because there is a lack of transparency. Syd Alexander was representing South Orange Rescue Squad and he submitted a letter at the Board's last meeting. He submitted all of the information. He spoke strongly in favor of the Board's finding that there is an absolute compelling need in Orange County for the granting of additional franchises to supplement the professional staff. He said that there is a need for volunteers to give back to the community and to assist the professional services. He said that they can provide a model to the State. He said that in the last 12 months, the volunteer organization of South Orange has provided in excess of 10,000 hours of service to the County at no cost. Fred Stipe is the Chairman of the South Orange Rescue Squad Board of Directors. He spoke about the need for ambulance and rescue services in Orange County, specifically volunteer services. He said that the SORS has been providing all volunteer emergency, EMS, and rescue services to the citizens of Orange County since 1970. Until August 2009, SORS had provided regularly scheduled three-day, 12-hour per day EMS and ambulance service to UNC and the surrounding Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and southern Orange County areas. This service was discontinued due to the lack of specific technical language to provide such a service in the previous franchise agreement. He said that SORS is interested in reinstating this service to help supplement the County's resources and to provide volunteers with training and certification opportunities. He said that SORS loans its ambulances, equipment, and staff to the County during times when County vehicles are out of service or otherwise offline. SORS also provides technical rescue services. It also provides statewide, regional, and national response through mutual aid agreements. SORS also provides technical rescue services for UNC and OWASA. He said that there is a very compelling need for a volunteer organization to continue to provide these services. Commissioner Jacobs said that there was an issue about representation regarding the Emergency Medical Services Peer Review Committee and Annette Moore said that there was a question about the advisory committee. The EMS Peer Review Committee is determined by statute. There was a second committee that would review a stay of the Emergency Services Director. Discussion ensued about the two committees. Commissioner Jacobs asked if staff had an opinion about having representatives that are not part of County government on these committees. Frank Clifton said that the committees could be expanded by adding a designated appointee, but there need to be some qualifications. Commissioner Jacobs said that he was thinking specifically about having a representative from a rescue squad. A motion was made by Commissioner Hemminger, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to close the public hearing. VOTE: UNANIMOUS