HomeMy WebLinkAboutNS ORD-1997-035 EMS Franchise Application a 'Ric- 19 3 s
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ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: October 6, 1997
Action Agenda
Item No. R. q
SUBJECT: EMS Franchise Application
DEPARTMENT: Emergency Management PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No'
BUDGET AMENDMENT: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Application from Mid-South Medical Transport Nick Waters, ext 3030
County Franchise Ordinance
(under 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ambulance and EMS regulations,and superseded the County's 1981 EMS franchise ordinance.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
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.
ATTACHMENT 1
3
APPLICATION
FOR
AMBULANCE RESCUE OR MEDICAL FIRST RESPONDER FRANCHISE
ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
APPLICANT: Date of Application: August 12. 1996
I.
A. Name of Applicant: Mid-South Medical Transport L.L.C.
B. Address:street: 804 B6ghtleaf Boulevard Post Office Box 1162
City/State: Smithfield. North Carolina zip 27577
C. Telephone No. at Base of operations: j919) 934-4206
D. Name of Owner / Contact Person Terry 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:
[ I First Responder [ j D-level ( j Extrication
MM Emergency Med. Techn. [ j I-level ( j High/Low Angle
[ 1/f Convalescent Transport [ j P-level ( I Confined Space
[ I Trench
( I 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.
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Reissued 04/20/93
AN ORDINANCE REGULATING EMERGENCY MEDICAL, FIRST RESPONDER, AND
RESCUE SERVICE AND GRANTING OF FRANCHISES AND CONTRACTS
TO THE OPERATORS IN THE COUNTY OF ORANGE
An ordinance governing the granting of franchises for
emergency services and other prehospital emergency medical
services. The Orange County Board of Commissioners does
ordain the following:
SECTION I. DEFINITIONS
Unless the context otherwise requires, the following definitions
shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this
ordinance:
1. 1 AMBULANCE
The term "ambulance" means any privately or publicly
owned motor vehicle, aircraft, or vessel that is
specially designed, constructed, or modified and
equipped and is intended to be used for and is
maintained or operated for the transportation on the
streets' ot highways, waterways or airways of this
state of persons who are sick, injured, wounded, or
otherwise incapacitated or helpless.
1. 2 EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN (EMT)
The term "emergency medical technician" means an
individual who has completed a training program in
emergency medical care at least equal to the National
Standard Training Program for Emergency Medical
Technicians as defined by the United States Department of
Transportation and has been certified as an emergency
medical technician by the State of North Carolina Office
of Emergency Medical Service.
1.3 AMBULANCE PROVIDER
The term "ambulance provider" means an individual, firm,
corporation or association who engages or professes to
engage in the business or service of transporting patients
in an ambulance.
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1. 4 APPROVED
The term "approved" shall mean approved by the North
Carolina Medical Care Commission pursuant to the latter' s
rules and regulations promulgated under N. C. General
Statutes 143E-165.
1. 5 SECONDARY AMBULANCE PROVIDER
The term "secondary ambulance provider" shall mean the
system of personnel and equipment meeting the same
criteria as a primary ambulance provider, but not normally
dispatched on first call response.
1. 6 COUNCIL
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The term "council" shall mean the Orange County Emergency
Medical Services Advisory Council.
1.7 COUNTY'
The term "county" shall mean the Orange County and its
Board of Commissioners or their designated representative.
1. 8 TELECOMMUNICATOR
The term "telecommunicator" shall mean a person who is
available at all times to receive requests for emergency
services, to dispatch emergency services, and to advise
local law enforcement agencies, fire departments, rescue
squads, and emergency medical services and facilities of
any existing or threatened emergency.
EMERGENCY
The terms "emergency" and "emergency transportation
service" shall. mean the use of a service, its equipment
and personnel to provide medical care, rescue, and/or
transportation of a patient who is in need of immediate
rescue or medical treatment in order to prevent loss of
life or further aggravation or physiological or
psychological illness or injury.
1. 10 FIRST RESPONDER
The term "first responder" shall mean an organization with
personnel trained in emergency medical care that is
dispatched to the scene of a medical emergency for the
primary purpose of providing emergency medical assistance
to a patient until the ambulance and additional medical
aid arrives.
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AN ORDINANCE REGULATING EMERGENCY MEDICAL, FIRST RESPONDER, AND
RESCUE SERVICE AND GRANTING OF FRANCHISES AND CONTRACTS
TO THE OPERATORS IN THE COUNTY OF ORANGE
INDEX
SECTION PAGE
Section I. Definitions 1
Section II. Franchise Required 4
Section III. Application for Ambulance Franchise 5
Section IV. Application for Medical First
Responders 6
Section V. Application for Rescue' 'Services 7
Section VI. Granting of Franchise 8
Section VII. Term of' Franchise 9
Section VIII. Standards for Drivers and
Attendants 10
Section IX. Standards for Vehicles and Equipment 11
Section X. Standards for Communications 11
Section XI. Insurance 11
Section XII. Records 12
Section XIII. Rates and Charges 13
Section XIV. Enforcement r 13
Section XV. Miscellaneous 14
Section XVI. County Emergency Medical Services
Advisory Council 14
Section XVII. Effective Date; Repealer; Grand-
father Provisions 14
1. 11 FRANCHISE
The term "franchise" shall mean a permit issued by the
County to a person for the operation of an ambulance
service, rescue squad or first responder unit.
1. 12 FRANCHISEE
The term "franchisee" shall mean any person having been
issued a franchise by the County for the operation of an
ambulance service, rescue squad or first responder unit.
1. 13 LICENSE
The term "license" shall .mean any driver's license or
,permit to operate a motor.- vehicle issued under or granted
by the laws of the State of North Carolina.
1. 14 CONTRACT
The term "contract" shall mean the instrument by which
both parties agree to the terms of operation of the
service to be provided.
1. 15 CONVALESCENT TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
The- term "convalescent transportation service" shall mean
the operation of an ambulance for any purpose other than
transporting emergency or emergent patients.
1. 16 OPERATOR
The term "operator"shall mean a person in actual physical
control of an ambulance or rescue service vehicle which is
in motion or which has the engine running.,
1. 17 OWNER
The term "owner" shall mean any person or entity who owns
an ambulance or provides a service covered by this
ordinance.
1. 18 PATIENT
The term "patient" means an individual who is sick,
injured, wounded, or otherwise incapacitated or helpless
such that the need for some medical assistance might be
anticipated while being transported to or from a medical
facility.
1. 19 PERSON
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The term "person" shall mean any individual, firm,
partnership, association, corporation, company, group of
individuals acting together for a common purpose, or
organization of any kind, including any governmental
agency other than the United States.
1.20 RESCUE
The term "rescue" shall mean situations where victims
cannot escape an area through the normal exit or under
their own power.
1.21 SERVICE
The term "service" shall mean the 'same as owner.
1.22 VICTIM
The term "victim" shall"mean any patient or potential
patient who is entrapped, entangled, pinned, fallen,
suspended, or otherwise in need of rescue services.
SECTION II. FRANCHISE REQUIRED
2 . 1 No person either as owner, agent or otherwise, shall
furnish, operate, conduct, maintain, advertise, or
otherwise be engaged in or profess to be engaged in the
business or service of emergency, emergent and/or
convalescent transportation of patients within the County
of Orange unless the person holds a valid permit for each
ambulance used in such business or service issued by the
North Carolina Department of Human Resources, Office of
Emergency Medical Services, and has been granted a
franchise for the operation of such business or service
by the County pursuant to this Ordinance.
2 . 2 No person shall drive an ambulance, attend a patient in
one, or permit one to be operated when transporting a
patient within the County of Orange unless he or she holds
a currently valid North Carolina Operator's License and a
currently valid certificate as an EMT (Emergency Medical
Technician) , EMT-D (Emergency Medical Technician-
Defibrillator) , EMT-I (Emergency Medical Technician-
Intermediate) , EMT-AI (Emergency Medical Technician-
Advanced Intermediate) or EMT-P (Emergency Medical
Technician-Paramedic) issued by the North Carolina
Department of Human Resources, Office of Emergency Medical
Services.
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2 . 3 No person either as owner, agent or otherwise, shall
furnish, operate, conduct, maintain, advertise, or
otherwise be engaged in or profess to be engaged in the
business or service of providing rescue services or first
responder services unless they have been granted a
franchise for the operation of such business or service
by the County pursuant to this ordinance.
2 .4 No franchise shall be required for:
(a) Any entity operated from a location or headquarters
outside of the County of Orange in order to (1)
transport patients who are picked up beyond the limits
of the County of Orange to facilities located within
the County of Orange, or (2) to pick up patients
within the County of Orange ,for. transporting to
locations outside the- County of Orange; but no such
entity shall be used to pick up patients within the
County of Orange for transporting to locations within
the Count`--of Orange or other locations unless it is
rendering assistance to a franchised ambulance service
in the case of a major catastrophe or mutual aid.
(b) Ambulances owned and operated by an agency of the
County, the State of North Carolina, or the United
States.
SECTION III. APPLICATION FOR AMBULANCE FRANCHISE
3 . 1 Application for a franchise to operate ambulances,
emergency or convalescent, in the County of Orange shall
be made by the ambulance provider upon such forms as may
be prepared or prescribed by the County and shall contain:
(a) The name and address of the ambulance provider and
of the owner of the ambulance(s) .
(b) The trade or other fictitious names, if any, under
which the applicant does business, along with a
certified copy of an assumed name certificate stating
such name, or articles of incorporation stating such
name.
(c) A resume of the training and experience of the
applicant in the transportation and care of patients.
(d) A full description of the type and level of
service to be provided including the location of the
place or places from which it is intended to
operate, the manner in which the public will be able
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to obtain assistance and how the vehicles will be
dispatched; and a financial statement of the
applicant as the same pertains to the operations in
the County of Orange, said financial statement to be
in such form and in such detail as may be required
by the County.
(e) A list of radio frequencies the applicant is
authorized to operate on, and a copy of the FCC -
license(s) in the name of the person providing the
service.
(f) A description of the applicant' s capability to
provide twenty-four hour coverage, seven days per
week for the district. c:overed by the franchise
applied for, and an accurate .dstimate of the minimum.
and maximum. times for a response to calls within
such district. ;
(g) Any information the County shall deem reasonably
necessary. for a fair determination of the capability
of the applicant to provide ambulance services in
the County of Orange in accordance with the
requirements of state laws and the provisions of
this regulation.
SECTION IV. APPLICATION FOR MEDICAL FIRST RESPONDERS
4 . 1 Application for a franchise to operate as medical first
responders in the County of Orange shall be made by the
provider upon such forms as may be prepared or prescribed
by the County and shall contain:
(a) The name and address of the provider and of the
owner of the service.
(b) The trade or other fictitious names, if .any, under
which the applicant does business, along with a
certified copy of an assumed name certificate stating
such name, or articles of incorporation stating such
name.
(c) A resume of the training and experience of the
applicant in the treatment and care of patients.
(d) A full description of the type and level of service
to be provided including the location of the place or
places from which it is intended to operate, the
manner in which the public will be able to obtain
assistance and how the vehicles will be dispatched;
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and a financial statement of the applicant as the same
pertains to the operations in the County of Orange,
said financial statement to be in such form and in
such detail as may be required by the County. A
current financial statement provided by a fire
department, volunteer or otherwise, operating within
the County which has been provided to the County as
part of the County budget process shall satisfy this
financial statement requirement. .
(e) A list of radio frequencies the applicant is
authorized to operate on, and a copy of the FCC
license(s) in the name of the person providing the
service, unless included as part of a fire department
radio system.
'(f) A description of the applicant's capability to
provide coverage for the district covered by the
franchise-.applied for, and an accurate estimate of the
minimum and maximum times for a response to calls
�► within such district.
(g) Any information the County shall deem reasonably
necessary for a fair determination of the capability
of the applicant to provide medical first responder
services in the County of Orange in accordance with
the requirements of state laws and the provisions of
this regulation.
SECTION V. APPLICATION FOR RESCUE SERVICES
5. 1 Application for a franchise to provide rescue services
in the County of Orange shall be made by the provider upon
such forms as may be prepared or prescribed by the
County and shall contain:
(a) The name and address of the provider and of the
owner of the service(s) .
(b) The trade or other fictitious names, if any, under
which the applicant does business, along with a
certified copy of an assumed name certificate stating
such name, or articles of incorporation stating such
name.
(c) A resume of the training and experience of the
applicant in the rescue techniques of victims.
(d) A full description of the type and level of service
to be provided including the location of the place- or
places from which it is intended to operate, the
manner in which the public will be able to obtain
assistance and how the vehicles will be dispatched;
and a financial statement of the applicant as the same
pertains to the operations in the County of
Orange, said financial statement to be in such form
and in such detail as may be required by the County.
(e) A list of radio frequencies the applicant is
authorized to operate on, and a copy of the FCC
license(s), in the name of the person providing the
service.
(f) A description of the applicant's capability to
provide twenty-four hour coverage, seven days per week
for the district covered by- the franchise applied for,
and an accurate estimate- of the minimum and maximum
times for a- response- to calls within such district.
(g) Any information the' County shall deem reasonably
` ► necessary for a fair determination of the capability
of the applicant to provide rescue services in the
County of Orange in accordance with the requirements
of state laws and the provisions of this regulation.
SECTION VI. GRANTING OF FRANCHISE
6. 1 Prior to accepting applications for the operation of any
service, the Board of Commissioners may designate specific
service areas as franchise districts. Said districts will
be established using criteria that includes geographic
size, road access, the location of existing medical
transportation services, population, and response time.
The County shall have the authority to redistrict or
rearrange existing districts at any time at their
discretion..
6 . 2 An applicant may apply for a franchise to operate an
ambulance service, emergency or convalescent, rescue
service, or Medical First Responder Unit or any two or all
three. If more than one (1) service is to be provided, an
application must be filed for each service.
6. 3 Upon receipt of an application for a franchise, the
County shall schedule a time and place for hearing the
applicant. Within 30 days after hearing, the County shall
cause such investigation as it may deem necessary to be
made of the applicant and his or her proposed operations.
6. 4 A franchise may be granted if the County finds that:
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(a) The applicant meets county/state standards and
standards outlined in the franchise ordinance.
(b) The proposed service will fit within the existing
service so as not to adversely affect the level of
service or operations of other franchisees to render
service.
(c) 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 cost effective and
reasonable manner of. meeting' the need.
SECTION VII. TERM OF'-FRANCHISE
7 . 1 The County may issue a franchise hereunder to an
ambulance provider, to be valid for a term of five (5)
years. The franchise holder can surrender a franchise
granted pursuant to this Ordinance with 60 days notice to
the County, and the County may revoke the franchise as
provided in Section XIV 1.E. After a notice of service
termination is given, the provider may reapply for a
franchise if continued service is desired.
7 .2 Upon. suspension, revocation, or termination of a
franchise granted hereunder, such franchised ambulance
service, rescue squad or first responder unit immediately
shall cease operations. Upon suspension, revocation, or
termination of a driver's license or an attendant's
certificate i.e. , First Responder, Rescue, Emergency
Medical Technician, EMT-D, EMT-I, EMT-AI, or EMT-P
certificate, such persons shall cease to drive an
ambulance or provide medical care, First Responder and
Rescue Service or attend an ambulance. The franchisees
shall not permit such an individual to drive an ambulance
or provide medical care in conjunction with the ambulance
service, provide rescue service or first responder
service.
7. 3 Each franchised service shall comply at all times with
the requirements of this Ordinance, the franchise granted
hereunder, and all applicable state and local laws re-
lating to health, sanitation, safety, equipment, ambulance
design and all other laws and ordinances.
7.4 Prior approval of the County shall be required where
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ownership or control of more than 10 percent of the right
of control of franchisee is acquired by a person or group
of persons acting in concert, none of whom own or control
10 percent or more of such right of control, singularly or
collectively, at the date of the franchise. By its
acceptance of the franchise, the franchisee specifically
agrees that any such acquisition occurring without prior
approval of the County shall constitute a violation of the
franchise by the franchisee and shall be cause for
termination at the option of the County.
7.5 Any change of ownership of a franchised service without
the approval of the County shall terminate the franchise
and shall require a new application and a new franchise
and conformance with all the requirements of this
Ordinance as upon original.franchising.
7. 6 Any change in the level of service offered of a
franchised ambulance service, rescue squad or first
responder unit without the approval of the County shall
terminate the franchise and shall require a new
application and a new franchise and conformance with all
the requirements of this Ordinance as upon original
franchising.
7. 7 No franchise may be sold, assigned, mortgaged, or
otherwise transferred without the approval of the County;
and a finding of conformance with all requirements of this
Ordinance as upon original franchising. Each franchised
ambulance, rescue, or first responder service, its
equipment and the premises designated in the application
and all records relating to its maintenance and operation,
as such, shall be open to inspection by the State, the
County, or their designated representatives.
7. 8 The franchise certificate shall be posted in a readily
visible location at the base of operations for the
franchised service.
7 .9 A franchise certificate may not be defaced, removed, or
obliterated.
SECTION VIII. STANDARDS FOR DRIVERS AND ATTENDANTS
8. 1 Standards for drivers and attendants as developed by the
North Carolina Medical Care Commission as requirements for
certification of emergency medical technicians pursuant to
Article 7, Chapter 131E-158, and Article 56, Chapter 143,
of the- General Statutes of North Carolina, and rules and
regulations promulgated by the Board of Medical Examiners
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for Advanced Life Support Technicians shall be applied and
the same are incorporated herein by reference.
SECTION IX. STANDARDS FOR VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT
9. 1 Vehicle and equipment standards as developed by the North
Carolina Medical Care. Commission pursuant to Article 7,
Chapter 131E-157, . and Article 56, Chapter 143, of the
General Statutes of North Carolina, and shall be applied
and the same are incorporated herein by reference.
SECTION X. STANDARDS FOR COMMUNICATIONS
10. 1 Each ambulance vehicle shall be equipped with an
"operational two-way radio-. capable of establishing good
.quality voice communications from within the geographic
confines of the County to each hospital(s) emergency
department in-'the County in which the service is based.
�► Each ambulance vehicle shall be equipped with two-way
radio communications capabilities for communications with
all hospital emergency departments to which transportation
of patients is made on a regular or routine basis anywhere
within the state. Each ambulance or rescue vehicle shall
be equipped with an operational two-way radio capable of
establishing communications from within the geographic
confines of the County" to the dispatching agency within
the county.. This. section shall not apply to privately
owned: vehicles -of the members.
10. 2 Each provider shall maintain current authorizations or
Federal Communication Commission licenses for all
frequencies and radio transmitters operated by that
provider. Copies of all authorizations and licenses shall
be on display and available for inspection per Federal
Communication Commission's Rules and Regulations.
10.3 Each base of operations must have at least one open
telephone -line. Telephone numbers must be registered with
each law enforcement agency and communications center in
the county of Orange.
10.4 Each service shall be dispatched from the County Dispatch
Center or an acceptable and approved alternative.
SECTION XI. INSURANCE
11.1 No franchise shall be issued under this Ordinance, nor
shall such franchise be valid after issuance, nor shall
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any service vehicles be operated in the County of Orange
unless the franchisee has at all times in force and effect
either insurance coverage, issued by an insurance company
licensed to do business in the State of North Carolina for
every vehicle owned and/or operated by or for the service
providing for the payment of damages:
(a) In the minimum sum of $1, 000, 000 for injury to or
death of individuals in accidents resulting from any
cause for which the owner of said vehicle would be
liable on account of liability imposed on him by law,
regardless of whether the vehicle was being driven by
the owner or his agency; and,
(b) In the minimum sum of $1, 000, 000 for the loss of or
damage to the property of another, including personal
' property, under like circumstances, in sums as may be
required by- the State or as approved by the County of
Orange.
�► (c) The insurance coverage minimum limits required in
subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall be
evaluated annually by the Orange County Office of
Emergency Management in consultation with the Orange
County Director of Central Services and revised as
deemed appropriate and as directed by the Orange
County Office of Emergency Management. In directing a
change in insurance coverage, the Orange County Office
of Emergency Management shall consider the risk needs
protected by this insurance coverage and the
availablility in the marketplace of the coverage
amounts to be required.
SECTION XII. RECORDS
12 . 1 Each franchisee shall maintain the following records:
(a) Record of Dispatch - Shall show time call was
received; time dispatched, time arrived on scene,
time arrived at destination, time in service, and
time returned to base.
(b) Trip Record - Shall state all information required
in Section (a) in addition to information on a form
approved by the County. The trip record shall be so
designed as to provide the patient with a copy thereof
containing all required information.
(c) Driver and Attendant Checklist and Inspection Report
Shall list contents and description of operations for
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each vehicle, signed by the individual verifying
vehicle operations and equipment.
SECTION XIII. RATES AND CHARGES
13 . 1 Each franchisee shall submit a schedule of rates to the
County for approval and shall not charge more nor less
than the approved rates without specific approval by the
County.
13 .2 No service shall attempt to collect rates on emergency
calls until the patient has reached the point of
destination, has received medical attention and is in a
condition deemed by the physician fit to consult with the
service, but such service may attempt to collect rates
~with family or guardian of the patient once the patient is
'in the process of receiving medical attention.
13 .3 On- convalescent- calls, attempts. to collect payment may
be. made before the ambulance begins its trip.
SECTION XIV. ENFORCEMENT
14 . 1 The Orange County Office of Emergency Management shall
be the enforcing agency for the regulations contained in
this. Ordinance. Such office will:
(a) Receive all. franchise proposals from potential
providers..
(b) Study each proposal for conformance to this
Ordinance.
(c) Recommend to the Board of Commissioners the
approval/disapproval of the franchise(s) to the
applicants submitting the best proposal (s) .
(d) Inspect the premises, vehicles, equipment, and
personnel of franchisees to assure compliance to
this Ordinance. and perform any other inspections
that may be required.
(e) Recommend to the Board of Commissioners the
temporary or permanent suspension of a franchise in
the event of noncompliance with the franchise terms
of this Ordinance. Recommend the imposition of
misdemeanor or civil penalties as provided therein.
(f) Insure by cooperative agreement with other services
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the continued service in a district where a service
franchise has been suspended.
(g) Receive complaints from the public, other enforcing
agencies, and services regarding franchise
infractions.
(h) Recommend improvements to the County which will
insure better rescue service and medical care and
transportation.
(i) Maintain all records required by this Ordinance and
other applicable County regulations.
SECTION XV. MISCELLANEOUS
15. 1 The County may, upon reasonable notice,. inspect a
franchisee' s records, premises, and equipment at any
time in order td;:insure_.compliance with this Ordinance
and any franchise granted hereunder.
SECTION XVI. COUNTY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ADVISORY COUNCIL
16. 1 The Council shall have the responsibility and duty of
advising the Emergency Management Director on matters
relating to the enforcement of this Ordinance as specified
in Section XIV above and shall provide information and
advice to the Board of County Commissioners regarding such
standards of care, policies, procedures, and actions which
will maintain and improve the quality of emergency medical
services for the residents of Orange County.
16 . 2 Representatives from the franchised providers may attend
any meetings when the Council considers matters relating
to the granting of franchises and/or reviewing complaints
from the public and investigations regarding franchised
services...
SECTION XVII. EFFECTIVE DATE: REPEALER; GRANDFATHER PROVISIONS
17 . 1 This Ordinance shall take effect on the 20th day of
April, 1993 . AN ORDINANCE REGULATING THE OPERATION OF
AMBULANCE SERVICES AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF EMERGENCY
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IN ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
effective March 1, 1981, is hereby repealed effective
April 20, 1993 . Any person, firm, or corporation
providing ambulance service, rescue service or first
responder service pursuant to a valid franchise issued by
14
Orange County under the repealed March 1, 1981 Ordinance
shall be entitled to continue that service as provided in
the franchise and for the term of the franchise. Any such
franchise may, however, be suspended, revoked, or
terminated as provided in this Ordinance.
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0R'Az� - L°t 9 7 - 0 35
and expenditures is $85,784,544.
H. UNIVERSITY MANOR PHASE III - PRELIMINARY PLAN
This item was deleted by Board action under item "'I".
9. ITEMS FOR DECISION - REGULAR AGENDA
A. EMS FRANCHISE APPLICATION
The Board considered a request by Mid-South Medical Transport for a franchise to
perform convalescent ambulance transports within Orange County. The Manager indicated that
there is not a need at this time for another franchise in Orange County.
Terry Huesner said that his company is located in Smithfield, North Carolina. They
do about 20 transports a month from Orange County to other points in the state. If they were
awarded a franchise, they estimate they would do from 40 to 60 transports a month within
Orange County. He is asking for the right to do transports to and from Orange County. He
has received phone calls from people who want to use his service for this purpose.
A motion was made by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis
to not approve the franchise for Mid-South Medical Transport.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
Commissioner Brown asked that the EMS Advisory Council keep the County
Commissioners updated with a report from time to time and let them know when another
franchise is necessary.
B. COPSFAST GRANT AWARD
The County Commissioners considered accepting a three year grant from the U.S.
Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. This new grant will
partially fund six additional full-time Deputy positions. The terms of the grant require Orange
County to provide an overall match of approximately 25% of the total three year funding.
A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Brown
to accept the COPSFAST 3 grant and adopt the grant project ordinance stated below which
authorizes the addition of six full-time equivalent positions in the Sheriff's Department.
COPSFAST/3 Universal Hiring Program Grant Proiect Ordinance (Project#11-717)
Revenue - Intergovernmental (1997-98) $150,000
Revenue - Intergovernmental (1998-99) $150,000
Revenue - Intergovernmental (1999-2000) $150,000
Revenue -Transfers from the General Fund (1997-98) $ ,37,500
Revenue -Transfers from the General Fund (1998-99) $ 50,000
Revenue - Transfers from the General Fund (1999-2000) $ 65,000
Expenditure - Public Safety- COPSFAST- 3
$602,500
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
C. ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PRIORITIES LIST
The Board received a report on the annual process to develop Orange County's
Transportation Priorities List and to adopt this year's list. The Administration recommends that