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1 <br /> 1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: August 4, 1997 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. q <br /> SUBJECT: EMS Franchise Application <br /> DEPARTMENT: Emergency Management PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/1) <br /> BUDGET AMENDMENT: (Y/1) <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Application from Mid-South Medical Transport Nick Waters, ext 3030 <br /> County Franchise Ordinance (separate cover) <br /> TELEPHONE NUMBERS: <br /> Hillsborough 732-8181 <br /> Chapel Hill 968-4501 <br /> Durham 688-7331 <br /> Mebane 227-2031 <br /> PURPOSE: To consider a request by Mid-South Medical Transport for a franchise to perform <br /> convalescent ambulance transports within Orange County. <br /> BACKGROUND: In April, 1993,the Board of Commissioners adopted an"Ordinance Regulating <br /> Emergency Medical, First Responder, and Rescue Service and Granting of Franchises and Contracts <br /> to the Operators in the County of Orange". This ordinance updated and modernized the County's <br /> ambulance and EMS regulations, and superseded the County's 1981 EMS franchise ordinance. A <br /> franchise is necessary for those trips that have both origination and destination within the borders of <br /> Orange County. <br /> In May, 1994, the County granted a franchise to Johnston Ambulance Service, Inc.,to provide <br /> convalescent only transports within Orange County. Johnston has been operating satisfactorily <br /> since they began business. Staff have periodically audited the performance of Johnston Ambulance <br /> Service, and have discovered no performance deficiencies in their operation. <br /> At their April 1997 meeting,the EMS Advisory Council considered requests from two applicants <br /> for EMS franchises- from Mid-South Medical Transport, L.L.C. and American Medical Response <br /> (AMR) of North Carolina, Inc. The EMS Advisory Council recommended that neither franchise be <br /> granted at this time, because there does not appear to be a need for another service provider in order <br /> to provide a satisfactory level of service for convalescent transports. The Council did acknowledge <br /> that at some point in the future, a need for additional service provision might develop, and <br /> suggested that both applicants consider reapplying in the future, should demand for service increase. <br /> AMR has communicated to County staff its willingness to withdraw its franchise application at this <br /> time, and to consider resubmitting it at some future time. Mid-South has indicated that it wishes its <br />