ORD-2010-026 South Orange Rescue Squad, Inc. Franchise Ordinance

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rJw~ 7. Regular Agenda a. First Reading: South Orange Rescue Squad Inc. Emeraency Services Franchise Ordinance The Board considered approving the First Reading of a Franchise Ordinance to grant a permit to South Orange Rescue Squad, Inc. for Emergency Medical and Rescue Services. Emergency Services Director Frank Montes de Oca summarized this item. Staff Attorney Annette Moore said that in order to adopt and grant a permit for ambulance services, the County must hold a public hearing. In order to grant a franchise, it must be by ordinance and it may not be adopted until it has passed at two regular meetings. On February 2"d, a public hearing was held on the need for ambulance service and the Board did find the need to adopt such an ordinance. At the February 2"d meeting, the Board asked that the staff work further with South Orange Rescue Squad and it has done so. South Orange Rescue Squad has submitted all documents outlining its capabilities. Emergency Services has conducted a review of the documents and worked with the applicant to complete all necessary documentation. Frank Montes de Oca said that the recommendation is that the Board grant on first reading a franchise for five-year terms to South Orange Rescue Squad, Inc., for Emergency Medical Services and Rescue Services. PUBLIC COMMENT: Ray de Friess has been a member of SORS since 1971. He said that SORS has always had a good working relationship with the .County and the goal is to provide good service. He said that this service is needed in Orange County. Matthew Mauzy is the Chief of SORS. He gave some of his history with the rescue squad. He said that SORS has trained hundreds of swift water rescuers from across the state. He said that the leadership opportunities have allowed him to face numerous challenges in his professional career. He said that he looks forward to the opportunity to partner on an expanded basis with Orange County Emergency Services. Ally Edmundson is the Assistant Chief of the Technical Rescue Team with SORS. She gave her history with the squad. She does rescue and technical rescue. She said that South Orange is different in that they provide both EMS and highly specialized rescue services to the community and the state. She said that SORS also employs the same number of women as men. She is a swift water rescue instructor as well. Through her service with SORS, she decided to obtain a Master's in Nursing and now works as a nurse practitioner at Wake Med. She continues to volunteer with SORS because she loves it. Bill Waddell is a lifetime resident of Orange County. He joined SORS in 1993. He said that he and his wife serve on .the squad. He takes enormous pride in serving the people of Orange County. He has seen many people come through SORS and become doctors, nurses, police officers, PAs, soldiers, etc. He thinks that Orange County should be extremely proud of SORS and the contributions that it has made to the County for 40 years. Fred Stipe is a lifelong resident of Orange County. He has worked with the squad since the late 1980's. He is a member of the Board of Directors and has been the Chair for the last 4 years. He extended thanks to Annette Moore for her legal. guidance through this process. He also thanked Frank Montes de Oca, Frank Clifton, and the Board of County Commissioners. A motion was made by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Pelissier to: - Approve the First Reading of a Franchise Ordinance to grant on first reading a franchise for five-year terms to South Orange Rescue Squad, Inc. for Emergency Medical Services and Rescue Services;