Agenda - 12-13-2016 - 6-h - Second Reading - Emergency Services Franchise by Ordinance

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1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: December 13, 2016 Action Agenda Item No. 6-h SUBJECT: Second Reading: Emergency Services Franchise by Ordinance — South Orange Rescue Squad, Inc. DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: South Orange Rescue Squad Franchise Dinah Jeffries, Emergency Services Agreement Director, (919) 245-6100 Kim Woodward, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Operations Manager, (919) 245-6133 PURPOSE: To approve on Second Reading the granting of a franchise by ordinance to South Orange Rescue Squad, Inc. (SORS) and the Franchise Agreement under which it will operate — approval on "second reading" is based on State law requirements that a franchise by ordinance pass two readings in order to be granted by the Board of Commissioners. Note: On First Reading at the December 5, 2016 meeting, the Board approved the proposed Franchise Agreement for SORS and requested that staff provide a cover letter to SORS asking the company to maintain and provide to the County records regarding residents/users that experience problems paying the costs for services. If the Agreement is approved on second reading, staff will provide the requested cover letter. BACKGROUND: On February 2, 2010, the Board held a Public Hearing to determine the need for supplemental ambulance services in accordance with North Carolina General Statute § 153A-250(a). At that time, the Board made the determination that franchise ambulance services were necessary to assure the provision of adequate and continuing ambulance service. State law requires that the Board of County Commissioners grant franchise agreements through County ordinance. The ordinance is required to pass two readings in order to be granted. Orange County has historically granted franchise agreements for convalescent transport and emergency ambulance services and for rescue service. Franchisees may also provide surge capacity in a basic life support (BLS) capacity during a widespread emergency that stresses the capacity of Orange County Emergency Medical Services. Orange County Emergency Services provides all other emergency response services for basic and advanced life support (ALS) needs in the County. The franchise for rescue service is necessary to provide specialized rescue service for circumstances involving confined space, swift water, and other hazardous situations where other first responders may not have specialized training.