Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Leonard Vialpando
Department: Resilient Environment Division: Consumer Protection Division
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO APPROVE award of a new Class 2 - Advanced Life Support (“ALS”) Transfer and a Class 3 - Basic Life Support (“BLS”) Transport Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to RG Ambulance Service, Inc., d/b/a Century Ambulance Service.
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Why Action is Necessary
Pursuant to Chapter 3½-6(f) of the Broward County Code of Ordinances, a public hearing must be held to consider the award or denial of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity.
What Action Accomplishes
Provides the Board with an opportunity to receive public comments concerning applicants seeking to provide Class 2 - ALS transfer services and Class 3 - BLS transport services within Broward County.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☐County Commission
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Previous Action Taken
March 7, 2024, Motion to Direct the County Administrator to publish notice of an April 16, 2024 public hearing.
Summary Explanation/Background
THE RESILIENT ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT AND THE CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.
On September 7, 2023, the Board of County Commissioners passed a Resolution directing the County Administrator to issue a temporary Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (“Certificate”) to RG Ambulance Service, Inc., d/b/a Century Ambulance Service to avoid service interruptions and continue emergency backup ambulance services while RG Ambulance Service, Inc. was acquiring the assets of Century Ambulance Service, Inc.
Chapter 3½ of the Broward County Code of Ordinances (“Code”) requires that a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (“COPCN”) be obtained from the County prior to a person, firm, corporation, or association providing ALS or BLS services within Broward County, Florida. Approval of the motion awards a Class 2 - ALS Transfer COPCN and a Class 3 - BLS Transport COPCN to RG Ambulance Service, Inc., d/b/a Century Ambulance Service (“Applicant”). A Class 2 - ALS Transfer COPCN and a Class 3 - BLS Transport COPCN are valid for the time period established by the Board, not to exceed five years.
The Consumer Protection Division acts as the designee of the County Administrator for the purpose of reviewing and processing applications for Class 2 - ALS Transfer and Class 3 - BLS Transport COPCNs. The application process is promulgated through rules and regulations set forth in Chapter 3½ of the Code. The full applications, including the exhibits, are maintained by the Consumer Protection Division.
The Consumer Protection Division has received and reviewed the applications from the Applicant (Exhibit 1) and has determined that the Applicant is in compliance with the requirements set forth in Chapter 3½-6(a) through (c) of the Code.
Pursuant to Chapter 3½-6(e) of the Code, the EMS Review Committee of the Broward Regional EMS Council reviewed the above applications on January 17, 2024, and recommended approval of the COPCNs to the Applicant (Exhibit 2).
Pursuant to Chapter 3½-6(g) of the Code, the Broward County Office of the Medical Examiner and Trauma Services, the local trauma agency, recommends approval of the COPCNs, as further explained in Exhibit 3.
Pursuant to Chapter 3½-6(f) and (g) of the Code, the Board must hold a public hearing to consider the pending applications for certificates and determine whether the public convenience and necessity of the residents of Broward County would be best served by granting or denying the applications. In making its determination, the Board considers the items in Section 3½(d) of the Code and the following:
(1) The recommendations of the County Administrator or designee and the County’s local trauma agency;
(2) The adequacy of the management plan of the applicant;
(3) The benefits that will accrue to the public interest from the proposed service including, but not limited to the community’s need for additional service (the applicant has the burden of proving that there is such a need by providing verifiable documents and other evidence);
(4) The results of a County-conducted survey (Exhibit 4) of the community’s needs;
(5) Any recommendations from municipalities within Broward County;
(6) All relevant matters presented at the public hearing; and
(7) Other matters deemed to be in the best interests of the public health, safety, welfare, convenience, and necessity of the residents of Broward County.
If the Board approves the Applicant to receive the Class 2 - ALS Transfer and Class 3 - BLS Transport COPCNs, the Consumer Protection Division will conduct a review of the remaining requirements (e.g., vehicle inspections and personnel requirements, adequate insurance) pursuant to Chapter 3½ of the Code for compliance relating to emergency medical services transportation, and the Broward County Office of the Medical Examiner and Trauma Services will ensure the approval of a contractual agreement between the County and the Applicant.
Accordingly, the Consumer Protection Division presents these COPCNs to the Board for its consideration (Exhibit 5).
Source of Additional Information
Philip McChesney, Director, Consumer Protection Division, 954-519-1223.
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
None.