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2 <br /> The most-recent convalescent transportation provider in the County, Johnston Ambulance, <br /> closed its operations a short time ago, requiring the County to franchise other providers. <br /> Emergency Services has reviewed the overall Emergency Services System in the County to <br /> confirm that franchise services continue to be necessary to assure the provision of adequate <br /> and continuing ambulance services and to preserve, protect, and promote the public health, <br /> safety and welfare. As a result, the Department is recommending four franchises for <br /> ambulance service and one for rescue service. <br /> The Department has identified the following services as necessary to supplement and enhance <br /> the ambulance services within the Emergency Services System and to the residents of the <br /> Orange County. The services are: <br /> Convalescent Transport Services Rescue Services <br /> • ALS Transport • Confined Space <br /> • BLS Transport • Extrication <br /> Emergency Services • Heavy Rescue <br /> • BLS Transport • High/Low Angle <br /> • Medical Responder Non-transport • Swift Water <br /> • EMT Non-transport • Trench Collapse <br /> • Underwater <br /> • Wilderness Search&Rescue <br /> First Choice has applied for Orange County Franchise under the 2010 Franchise Ordinance. <br /> The application indicates First Choice is applying to provide the following services: <br /> • Convalescent Transport Services, BLS Transport <br /> • Emergency Services, BLS Transport <br /> First Choice is headquartered in Cary, North Carolina and has been in service in the Wake <br /> County EMS System since 2011. Since 2011 First Choice has completed over 11,000 Basic <br /> Life Support (BLS) transports. First Choice has 35 employees and a fleet of nine (9) vehicles. <br /> Emergency Services has reviewed the application, in conjunction with NC State Office of <br /> Emergency Medical Services, submitted by First Choice and inspected the premises, vehicles, <br /> equipment, and personnel of the company to assure compliance with the ordinance. The North <br /> Carolina General Statutes provide also that the Board prior to granting a franchise must "find <br /> that the franchise applicant is in compliance with Chapter 131E, Article 7."1 Emergency <br /> Services has concluded that the company is in compliance with Chapter 131E, Article 7 that <br /> regulates emergency services permits to operate ambulances, standards for equipment, <br /> inspection of equipment and credentialed personnel. <br /> Staff is recommending that First Choice be granted a Franchise to operate within the confines <br /> of the attached Franchise Ordinance. The terms of this Franchise Ordinance provides for a five <br /> year franchise for the following: <br /> Convalescent Transport Services <br /> • Basic Life Support Transport Services <br /> Emergency Services <br /> 'N.C.Gen. Stat. 153A-250(a). <br />