Minutes - 20020402 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Metadata

Thumbnails

Annotations

The Board considered awarding a franchise to AAA Transport of Durham to provide non-emergency ambulance services. They also received a report on needed modifications to the existing franchise ordinance. EMS Director Nick Waters summarized the information in the agenda. He said that there is only one private service franchised to provide non-emergency ambulance transportation within Orange County -Johnston Ambulance. In the last few months there has been an increase in the number of delays and backlogs of their trips. Another franchisee has applied to operate in the County, and it applied through a recommendation from UNC Hospital -AAA Transport of Durham. AAA operates six ambulances that would be available to schedule trips within Orange County and the staff thinks that there is a need for these six ambulances. There is also a need to look at the Convalescent and the Non- Emergency Franchise Ordinance. The ordinance does not address all the needs that are developing in the non-emergency transport arena in the County such as non-medical non-emergency transport service. There are people with mobility problems that do not need medical attention, but still may need to be transported by an ambulance. The Franchise Ordinance needs to comprehensively address all non-emergency transportation services and not just ambulances. This would require input from other departments and stakeholders. Commissioner Carey asked if the additional service was in response to increased demand. Nick Waters said that it is in response to the institutions that were experiencing long delays. One of the problems is that when patients are discharged, the hospitals want to expeditiously get those people out of the hospital sa another patient can use that bed. Commissioner Carey asked if the group of stakeholders would look at the economic viability of multiple transporters in the County and Nick Waters said yes. Commissioner Brown is interested in this issue and would like to serve on the stakeholder group. Chair Jacobs asked about qualifications for the staff who provides ambulance services. Nick Waters said that there are state qualifications that must be met by ambulance attendees. A motion was made by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Carey to award a franchise to AAA Transport of Durham to help relieve the needs of facilities by having service provided in a timely manner. VOTE: UNANIMOUS The staff will bring back a list of the proposed stakeholders, which will include Commissioner Brown, and a meeting schedule of the stakeholder group. b. Appointments to the School Facilities/Construction Standards Task Force and Hiah School Planning Work Group The Board considered designating two of its members to the School Facilities/Construction Standards Task Force and High School Planning Work Group. School FacilitieslConstruction Standards Task Force -Commissioner Gordon and Commissioner Brown will serve with Commissioner Carey as the alternate. High School Planning Work Group -Chair Jacobs and Commissioner Halkiotis will serve with Commissioner Gordon as the alternate. Chair Jacobs suggested that the Chair and Vice-Chair serve on the High School Planning Work Group since there is already a working relationship with the chairs and vice-chairs of the two school boards. Commissioner Gordon expressed interest in serving on the High School Planning Work Group. The other Commissioners were under the impression that she was going to be the liaison with the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools for the concept of the new high school. Commissioner Gordon said that she was never appointed, but only attended one of the meetings. A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to approve the appointments as stated above, with the addition that Commissioner Gordon will serve as the High School #3 Concept representative. VOTE: UNANIMOUS c. Appointments to the Board of Equalization and Review (E8~R Board)