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- Authorize the Chair to sign the MOU following completion of staff's work to finalize the <br /> document. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 6. Public Hearings-NONE <br /> 7. Regular Agenda <br /> a. First Reading: South Orange Rescue Squad, Inc. Emergency Services <br /> Franchise Ordinance <br /> The Board considered approving the First Reading of a Franchise Ordinance to grant a <br /> permit to South Orange Rescue Squad, Inc. for Emergency Medical and Rescue Services. <br /> Emergency Services Director Frank Montes de Oca summarized this item. <br /> Staff Attorney Annette Moore said that in order to adopt and grant a permit for ambulance <br /> services, the County must hold a public hearing. In order to grant a franchise, it must be by <br /> ordinance and it may not be adopted until it has passed at two regular meetings. On February <br /> 2nd a public hearing was held on the need for ambulance service and the Board did find the <br /> need to adopt such an ordinance. At the February 2nd meeting, the Board asked that the staff <br /> work further with South Orange Rescue Squad and it has done so. South Orange Rescue <br /> Squad has submitted all documents outlining its capabilities. Emergency Services has <br /> conducted a review of the documents and worked with the applicant to complete all necessary <br /> documentation. <br /> Frank Montes de Oca said that the recommendation is that the Board grant on first <br /> reading a franchise for five-year terms to South Orange Rescue Squad, Inc., for Emergency <br /> Medical Services and Rescue Services. <br /> PUBLIC COMMENT: <br /> Ray de Friess has been a member of SORS since 1971. He said that SORS has always <br /> had a good working relationship with the County and the goal is to provide good service. He said <br /> that this service is needed in Orange County. <br /> Matthew Mauzy is the Chief of SORS. He gave some of his history with the rescue <br /> squad. He said that SORS has trained hundreds of swift water rescuers from across the state. <br /> He said that the leadership opportunities have allowed him to face numerous challenges in his <br /> professional career. He said that he looks forward to the opportunity to partner on an expanded <br /> basis with Orange County Emergency Services. <br /> Ally Edmundson is the Assistant Chief of the Technical Rescue Team with SORS. She <br /> gave her history with the squad. She does rescue and technical rescue. She said that South <br /> Orange is different in that they provide both EMS and highly specialized rescue services to the <br /> community and the state. She said that SORS also employs the same number of women as <br /> men. She is a swift water rescue instructor as well. Through her service with SORS, she <br /> decided to obtain a Master's in Nursing and now works as a nurse practitioner at Wake Med. <br /> She continues to volunteer with SORS because she loves it. <br /> Bill Waddell is a lifetime resident of Orange County. He joined SORS in 1993. He said <br /> that he and his wife serve on the squad. He takes enormous pride in serving the people of <br /> Orange County. He has seen many people come through SORS and become doctors, nurses, <br /> police officers, PAs, soldiers, etc. He thinks that Orange County should be extremely proud of <br /> SORS and the contributions that it has made to the County for 40 years. <br /> Fred Stipe is a lifelong resident of Orange County. He has worked with the squad since <br /> the late 1980's. He is a member of the Board of Directors and has been the Chair for the last 4 <br /> years. He extended thanks to Annette Moore for her legal guidance through this process. He <br />