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. 1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: March 16, 2010 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. + <br /> SUBJECT: Second Reading: South Orange Rescue Squad, Inc. Emergency Services <br /> Franchise Ordinance <br /> DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): <br /> • South Orange Rescue Squad, Inc. INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Franchise Ordinance F.R. Montes de Oca, Jr., Emergency <br /> • Letter from South Orange Rescue Services Director, 245-6100 <br /> Squad to Board of Commissioners - <br /> January 19, 2010 Annette Moore, Staff Attorney, 245-2317 <br /> • Letter from South Orange Rescue <br /> Squad - February 22, 2010 <br /> PURPOSE: To approve the Second Reading of a Franchise Ordinance to grant a permit to <br /> South Orange Rescue Squad, Inc. for an Emergency Medical Basic Life Support (BLS) and <br /> Rescue Services. <br /> BACKGROUND: On February 2, 2010, the Board held a Public Hearing to determine the need <br /> for ambulance services in accordance with NC Gen. Stat. § 153A-250(a). After taking <br /> comments from the public, the Board found that it was necessary to franchise ambulance <br /> services to assure the provision of adequate and continuing services and to preserve, protect, <br /> promote the public health, safety, and welfare. Once the Board determines that ambulance <br /> services are necessary, by ordinance it may franchise said services. However, "no ordinance <br /> making a grant, renewal, extension, or amendment of any franchise may be finally adopted until <br /> it has been passed at two regular meetings of the Board of Commissioners. No such grant, <br /> renewal, extension, or amendment may be made except by ordinance."' The Board directed <br /> staff to enter into discussion with the applicant and to bring back a proposed Franchise <br /> Agreement. The Board approved on First Reading the granting of a franchise by Ordinance to <br /> South Orange Rescue Squad, Inc. on March 2, 2010. <br /> South Orange Rescue Squad, Inc. ("SORS"), a current BLS and rescue services franchisee, <br /> sent a letter to the Board on January 19, 2010 indicating their desire to apply for a Franchise. <br /> With the Board's directive, staff entered into discussions with SORS about a proposed franchise <br /> agreement and the procedure by which the submissions are processed. Staff has been in <br /> discussions with SORS since 2009 exploring ways to improve services to the community and <br /> improve communications between agencies. <br /> 1 N.C. Gen. Stat. 153A-46. <br />