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2 <br /> meeting, along with representatives from Johnston Ambulance Service. Johnston <br /> Ambulance Service made a short presentation to the Council of the services they have <br /> been providing; and Mid-South Ambulance gave a short presentation on the service that <br /> company desires to provide in Orange County. American Medical Response of North <br /> Carolina, Inc. did not attend the meeting due to scheduling conflicts. <br /> Mid-South Medical Transport's franchise requests to do business with UNC Hospitals in <br /> transporting patients home that have been discharged. The company will not engage in <br /> other convalescent transports in Orange County, and understands a new franchise would <br /> be required to expand their scope of work. American Medical Response of North <br /> Carolina, Inc. has applied to do business throughout Orange County, including nursing <br /> homes, rest homes and private residences. <br /> Section 6.4 of the franchise ordinance sets forth the conditions under which the Board <br /> may grant a franchise - namely, if it finds that: <br /> • the applicant meets county/state standards and standards outlined in the franchise <br /> ordinance <br /> • the proposed service will fit within the existing service so as not to adversely affect <br /> the level of the service or operations of other franchisees to render service <br /> • a need exists for the rendered service in order to improve the level of service available <br /> to residents of the County helping to assure the provision of adequate and continuing <br /> service which preserves,protects, and promotes the public health, safety, and welfare <br /> and that granting the franchise is a reasonable and cost effective manner of meeting <br /> the need <br /> The EMS Advisory Council reviewed the applications in the context of these <br /> requirements. There was discussion that the granting of additional franchises would <br /> promote competition and be helpful to consumers in that they would be afforded different <br /> service provider options. Neither the current provider,Johnston Ambulance, nor EMS <br /> Council members, expressed concern that granting the two new franchises would <br /> adversely impact Johnston Ambulance's service provision. <br /> Section 13.1 of the County's ordinance requires each franchisee to submit a schedule of <br /> rates to the County for approval, and to charge no more and no less than the approved <br /> rates without specific approval from the County. Johnston Ambulance Service's existing <br /> charge for convalescent service is $85.00 (eighty five dollars)base, plus $3.50 (three <br /> dollars and fifty cents)per loaded mile(with the patient actually riding on the <br /> ambulance). Johnston Ambulance Service indicates that they do not expect a rate <br /> increase for the remainder of 1997. Staff recommends that the same rates charged by <br /> Johnston Ambulance Service be approved for Mid-South and American Medical <br /> Response as well. That would ensure that customers who might not be aware that they <br /> have options in service providers do not end up paying a substantially higher fee to <br /> American Medical Response than they would to either Johnston or Mid-South. <br /> Representatives of Mid-South have indicated that they are willing to abide by these rates <br /> in order to obtain the franchise in Orange County. American Medical Response <br />