Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: April 26, 2022 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 8-e <br /> SUBJECT: Second Reading: Emergency Services Franchise by Ordinance — South Orange <br /> Rescue Squad <br /> DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> • South Orange Rescue Squad Kirby Saunders, Emergency Services <br /> Franchise Agreement Director, (919) 245-6100 <br /> Kim Woodward, Emergency Medical <br /> Services EMS Division Chief, (919) <br /> 245-6133 <br /> PURPOSE: To approve on Second Reading, in follow-up to First Reading approval at the <br /> Board's April 5, 2022 Business meeting, granting the renewal of a franchise agreement by <br /> ordinance to South Orange Rescue Squad, Inc. (SORS) to continue providing emergency <br /> services basic life support transport service, special event coverage, as well as technical rescue <br /> services. Approval on "Second 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. Franchisees may also provide surge <br /> capacity in a basic life support capacity during a widespread emergency that stresses the <br /> capacity of Orange County Emergency Medical Services. Orange County Emergency Services <br /> provides all other emergency response services for basic and advanced life support needs in <br /> the County. The franchise for rescue service is necessary to provide specialized rescue service <br /> for circumstances involving confined space, swift water, and other hazardous situations where <br /> other first responders may not have specialized training. <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 />