Pruner Wants Permit for Ambulance Dispatch Center

Saying it wants to improve its response time to residents on Ventura’s west side, Pruner Health Services officials will apply for a permit Tuesday to operate an ambulance dispatch center from a one-bedroom apartment near Harbor Boulevard.

The Ventura Planning Commission is scheduled to consider whether to allow the ambulance company to use a unit from the 74-unit Beachfronter Apartments on Paseo De Playa.

The company was allowed to move in about a month ago, but because of a mix-up in paperwork, the permit has not been approved yet, city officials said.

“The neighbors have been very cooperative,” said Nicholas Ridout, operations manager for Pruner Health Services who also happens to live in the complex.

The apartment is necessary so that the ambulance crews will have a place to sleep between calls, he said. Three crews of two people each will rotate through the apartment, and only one ambulance will be on duty at all times. Crews will not use ambulance lights and sirens near the apartment complex, Ridout said.

According to Ridout and city officials, the company has operated out of other apartments and houses throughout the county without prompting major complaints from neighbors.