Agenda - 04-20-1993 - VI-C - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Action Agenda Item No VZ C ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: April 20, 1993 SUBJECT: Updated Emergency Service Franchise Ordinance DEPARTMENT Emergency Management PUBLIC HEARING YES X NO ATTACHMENT(S) INFORMATION CONTACT Updated Ordinance Nick Waters, ext 3030 Existing Ordinance TELEPHONE NUMBER Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Mebane 227-2031 Durham 688-7331 PURPOSE: To hold a public hearing on, and consider adoption of, an updated ordinance regulating emergency medical, first responder, and rescue service and granting of franchises in Orange County. BACKGROUND: At the March 23 meeting, the Board of Commissioners established April 20, 1993 as the date for a public hearing on an updated ordinance regulating emergency medical, first responder, and rescue service and the granting of franchises for these services. The County Attorney has observed all statutory requirements for notice of the public hearing. In accordance with NCGS 153A-250 (a) , the Board may adopt the ordinance after the public hearing if it finds it necessary to do so to assure the provision of adequate and continuing ambulance service, first responder service, and rescue service which preserves, protects, and promotes the public health, safety, and welfare. However, the Board need not adopt the ordinance at the April 20 meeting if it prefers to consider adoption at a subsequent meeting of the Board. The new ordinance would update and modernize the ambulance and EMS regulations of Orange County and the franchising process, and would repeal and replace an existing ordinance in effect since March 1 , 1981. The new ordinance addresses additional services, improved technology, and more rigorous professional certification levels that have evolved since the original ordinance was adopted. For example, the new ordinance recognizes certification levels now encompassed in the General Statutes that were not recognized in the adoption of the original ordinance: EMT-I (Intermediate) , EMT-D(Defibrillation) , EMT- AI (Advanced Intermediate) , and EMT-P(Paramedic) . For the protection of citizens, emergency service providers need to be held to some standard of care. The new ordinance contains an enforcement section which provides for quality assurance. It establishes standards for driver/attendant certification, vehicles/equipment, communications, and establishes a system of required record keeping.