City Agrees to Renew Ambulance Contract

The Glendale City Council on Tuesday ordered Fire Chief John Montenero to negotiate a new contract with Professional Ambulance Service, which has provided paramedic and ambulance services to the city since 1975.

Council members decided to continue working with the Glendale firm because no other companies submitted bids to provide the service.

Montenero recommended that the Fire Department not take over the paramedic services. He said an internal study determined that such a move would be too expensive or would detract from the department’s ability to carry out its firefighting duties.

Professional Ambulance’s contract with the city expires Feb. 24. Last May, the city invited 10 companies to submit bids for a new contract for paramedic services. Montenero said five companies sent representatives to a pre-bid conference in June, but only Professional Ambulance submitted a bid.

Mayor Larry Zarian and councilmen Carl Raggio and Jerold Milner supported a motion to suspend the bidding process and renegotiate with Professional Ambulance. Councilwoman Ginger Bremberg, who has criticized the company’s service, voted no. Councilman Richard Jutras was absent.