HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 08-04-1997 - 9b 1
1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: August 4, 1997
Action Agenda
Item No. q
SUBJECT: EMS Franchise Application
DEPARTMENT: Emergency Management PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/1)
BUDGET AMENDMENT: (Y/1)
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Application from Mid-South Medical Transport Nick Waters, ext 3030
County Franchise Ordinance (separate cover)
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 968-4501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 227-2031
PURPOSE: To consider a request by Mid-South Medical Transport for a franchise to perform
convalescent ambulance transports within Orange County.
BACKGROUND: In April, 1993,the Board of Commissioners adopted an"Ordinance Regulating
Emergency Medical, First Responder, and Rescue Service and Granting of Franchises and Contracts
to the Operators in the County of Orange". This ordinance updated and modernized the County's
ambulance and EMS regulations, and superseded the County's 1981 EMS franchise ordinance. A
franchise is necessary for those trips that have both origination and destination within the borders of
Orange County.
In May, 1994, the County granted a franchise to Johnston Ambulance Service, Inc.,to provide
convalescent only transports within Orange County. Johnston has been operating satisfactorily
since they began business. Staff have periodically audited the performance of Johnston Ambulance
Service, and have discovered no performance deficiencies in their operation.
At their April 1997 meeting,the EMS Advisory Council considered requests from two applicants
for EMS franchises- from Mid-South Medical Transport, L.L.C. and American Medical Response
(AMR) of North Carolina, Inc. The EMS Advisory Council recommended that neither franchise be
granted at this time, because there does not appear to be a need for another service provider in order
to provide a satisfactory level of service for convalescent transports. The Council did acknowledge
that at some point in the future, a need for additional service provision might develop, and
suggested that both applicants consider reapplying in the future, should demand for service increase.
AMR has communicated to County staff its willingness to withdraw its franchise application at this
time, and to consider resubmitting it at some future time. Mid-South has indicated that it wishes its
c
2 '
application to be acted upon by the Board of County Commissioners. When initially presented,
Mid-South Medical Transport's franchise requested to do business with UNC Hospitals in
transporting patients home that have been discharged. The company has since indicated that it
would further like to be franchised for convalescent transports throughout Orange County. While
Mid-South maintains that the Hospitals could use additional service, County staff conversations
with hospital personnel indicate that the current provider, Johnston Ambulance, can provide all the
service that UNC Hospital requires at this time.
Section 6.4 of the franchise ordinance sets forth the conditions under which the Board may grant a
franchise -namely, if it finds that:
• the applicant meets county/state standards and standards outlined in the franchise ordinance
• the proposed service will fit within the existing service so as not to adversely affect the level of
the service or operations of other franchisees to render service
• a need exists for the rendered service in order to improve the level of service available to
residents of the County helping to assure the provision of adequate and continuing service which
preserves,protects, and promotes the public health, safety, and welfare and that granting the
franchise is a reasonable and cost effective manner of meeting the need
Section 13.1 of the County's ordinance requires each franchisee to submit a schedule of rates to the
County for approval, and to charge no more and no less than the approved rates without specific
approval from the County. Johnston Ambulance Service's existing charge for convalescent service
is$85.00 (eighty five dollars)base,plus$3.50 (three dollars and fifty cents)per loaded mile(with
the patient actually riding on the ambulance). Johnston Ambulance Service indicates that they do
not expect a rate increase for the remainder of 1997. While staff recommends that the franchise not
be awarded to Mid-South because of the lack of documented need for the service, should the Board
decide to grant the franchise, staff recommends that the same rates charged by Johnston Ambulance
Service be approved for Mid-South as well. Representatives of Mid-South have indicated that they
are willing to abide by these rates in order to obtain the franchise in Orange County.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board not approve the franchise
for Mid-South Medical Transport.
1 --
ATTACHMENT 1
.3
APPLICATION
FOR
AMBULANCE RESCUE OR MEDICAL FIRST RESPONDER FRANCHISE
ORANGE COUN'T'Y, NORTH CAROLINA
Date of Application: August 12, 1996
I. APPLICANT:
A. Name of Applicant: Mid-South Medical Transport, L.L.C.
B. Address:street: 804 Brightleaf Boulevard. Post Office Box 1162
City/State: Smithfield, North Carolina zip 27577
C. Telephone No. at Base of operations: (919) 934-4206
D. Name of Owner / Contact Person: Tenn W Heuser
E. Address:street: 886-D Short Journey Road
City/State: Smithfield, North Carolina zip 27577
F. Telephone No. : (919) 934-4206
G. *Trade Name: Mid-South Medical Transport, L.L.C.
H. Category of Franchise Applied For (A seperate
application must be completed for each category of
service applied for) :
BLS: ALS: RESCUE SERVICES:
[ ] First Responder [ ] D-level [ ] Extrication
EM] Emergency Med. Techn. [ 1 I-level [ ] High/Low Angle
[ ✓j Convalescent Transport [ ] P-level ( ] Confined Space
[ ] Trench
[ ] Water
I. ATTACHMENTS REQUIRED:
1. Certified copy of Article of Incorporation Charter
or *Assumed Name Certificate.
2. Resume' of training and experience of the applicant
in rescue and transportation and care of patients.
3. A financial statement as it pertains to operations
in Orange County.
4. A copy of Organization's By-Laws (if applicable) .
5. A copy of Organization's Standard Operating
Procedures.
6. A current roster of members to include name,
address, and social security number.
t' -