DANA POINT : Split Council Renews Ambulance Contract

On a split vote, the City Council has renewed a contract with a local ambulance company despite a review board report that gave a higher rating to a competing firm.

Although Medix Ambulance Services outscored LifeCare Ambulance Services by almost 8% on a score sheet compiled by a group of citizens and emergency care professionals, the council awarded LifeCare a two-year contract by a 3-to-2 vote.

Mayor Eileen L. Krause and council members William R. Bamattre and Ingrid E. McGuire said they supported a city staff report that praised LifeCare’s performance. The Laguna Hills firm has provided ambulance service to Dana Point since 1987.

“I have heard no complaints from anyone in the community,” Krause said. “LifeCare was doing a good job.”

Assistant City Manager John W. Dunlevy Jr. said that the differences between the two companies were almost negligible. He said, however, that “considering (LifeCare) already has vehicles and manpower situated here, there was no overriding reason why we should remove LifeCare.”

Councilman T. Michael Eggers, who joined Councilwoman Judy S. Curreri in voting against the contract, said that he understood why staff wants LifeCare to stay in Dana Point.

“They feel if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” he said, but added, “I say that if you can improve it, then go ahead and fix it.”

The review board report, which awarded points for response time, quality of equipment and other factors, had Medix with 1,000 out of a possible 1,050 points, while LifeCare totaled 921 points.

In a telephone interview on Wednesday, Joanna Dimas, co-owner of Tustin-based Medix, said that she was confused about the council decision.

“We were scored higher; I’m still unsure why the contract wasn’t awarded to us,” she said. “We’re disappointed but we plan to try again in another couple years.”