Agenda - 05-02-1994-IX-D - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 l Having private providers would cause a significant decrease in the present workload (average number of convalescent calls per month is 62) of the Emergency Medical Services System and would improve the availability of ambulances for emergency or potentially emergency calls (average number of emergency or emergent calls per month is 720) . Currently, ambulances sometimes have extended response times because they respond from a standby situation, wherein they are temporarily stationed at a central point in the county (average number standby calls per month is 95 ) when other units are committed to additional calls, many of which are convalescent. The provision of convalescent transports by private providers would impact the EMS system by lowering operational costs, extending ambulance life, and diminishing the need for adding ambulance staff. Some EMS staff time would be redirected to higher priority functions. Elimination of County provided convalescent services would also eliminate the need for billing and collection for these services. This would redirect 10-15 hours per week of staff time in the Revenue Office to dealing with workload increases associated with the changes in the motor vehicle taxation system. Staff believes that the proposal to discontinue convalescent transport services represents a good example of rightsizing - redirecting County resources to provision of the most important services. County revenue can be expected to decrease by approximately $30,000-$35,000 annually, but staff believes that the benefits of reduced costs and redirection of staff effort to higher priorities will significantly outweigh the costs of reduced revenue. RECOMMENDATION: The Manager recommends that the Board approve the franchise for Johnston Ambulance Service, Inc. , to begin operation as soon as practicable, after allowing some time for notification to users of the convalescent transport service.