SANTA CLARITA : Ambulance Firms to Meet in Dispute
Both ambulance companies embroiled in a dispute over alleged problems in relaying emergency calls have been summoned by Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich to a closed meeting Wednesday at Santa Clarita City Hall to discuss possible solutions to the dispute.
Representatives of Wilson Ambulance Co., headquartered in Palmdale, and Santa Clarita Ambulance Co., formerly known as Newhall Ambulance, will meet with Antonovich to address 911 service in the Santa Clarita Valley, said Jo Anne Darcy, a field deputy to Antonovich.
Wilson Ambulance, which was awarded a contract by the county in 1990 to provide 911 service in the Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys, fired Santa Clarita Ambulance on Oct. 4 as its 911 subcontractor in the Santa Clarita Valley. The service is now provided by Wilson.
Tim Jorgensen, contracts administrator for Santa Clarita Ambulance, had complained to Wilson and county officials that 475 incidents of “procedure flaws” by ambulance dispatchers hindered his company’s responses to medical emergencies and caused delays of up to 31 minutes. He said he believed that the firing came in retaliation for his complaints.
Officials of Wilson Ambulance and Los Angeles County said no serious problems exist in the county’s relay system.
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