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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: April 5, 2022 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 8-h <br /> SUBJECT: First Reading: Emergency Services Franchise by Ordinance — First Choice <br /> Medical Transport, LLC <br /> DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> • First Choice Franchise Agreement Kirby Saunders, Emergency Services <br /> Director, (919) 245-6100 <br /> Kim Woodward, Emergency Medical <br /> Services EMS Division Chief, (919) <br /> 245-6133 <br /> PURPOSE: To approve, on First Reading, granting the renewal of a franchise agreement by <br /> ordinance to First Choice Medical Transport, LLC (First Choice) to provide routine convalescent <br /> transport services and surge capacity emergency services for basic life support (BLS) <br /> transportation. Approval on "first reading" is based on State law requiring that a franchise by <br /> ordinance pass two readings in order to be granted by the Board of Commissioners. <br /> BACKGROUND: On February 2, 2010, the Board of Commissioners held a Public Hearing to <br /> determine the need for supplemental ambulance services in accordance with NC General <br /> Statute § 153A-250(a). At that time, the Board made the determination that franchise <br /> ambulance services were necessary to assure the provision of adequate and continuing <br /> ambulance service. State law requires that the Board of County Commissioners grant franchise <br /> agreements through County ordinance. This ordinance is required to pass two readings in order <br /> to be granted. <br /> Orange County has historically granted franchise agreements for convalescent transport and <br /> emergency ambulance services and for rescue service. The convalescent transport ambulance <br /> services franchises are only used to provide non-emergency convalescent transport to medical <br /> facilities typically for the care and treatment of a resident's long term health needs. Franchisees <br /> may also provide surge capacity in a basic life support capacity during a widespread emergency <br /> that stresses the capacity of Orange County Emergency Medical Services. Orange County <br /> Emergency Services provides all other emergency response services for basic and advanced <br /> life support needs in the County. <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. <br />