MISSION VIEJO : Ambulance Contract Is Awarded to Medix

The City Council voted on Monday to switch ambulance companies, a decision council members called one of the toughest they’ve faced.

The three firms competing for the franchise were rated nearly equal. But, citing superior response time and better equipment, a divided council awarded the contract to Medix Ambulance Service, replacing the previous company, Southland/Lifefleet Ambulance Services.

“All three (emergency care) providers were excellent,” said Councilman Joseph D. Lowe, who supported Doctor’s Ambulance Service.

Councilman William S. Craycraft voted for Lifefleet. “It was a very hard choice.” He said Lifefleet had provided “excellent” service. “They’ve been absolutely great . . . they’ve been very active in the community,” he said.

Under a 1,050-point system developed by the county Fire Department, Doctor’s picked up 996 points--two points ahead of both Southland and Medix.

But council members said they were swayed by Medix’s rating of 191 points in response time, compared with 186 points awarded to Doctor’s and 170 points to Southland.

“When the council put the (franchise) out to bid, we did it because we wanted to get the company with the best response time,” said Councilwoman Sharon Cody. “It was definitely one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make, but I’m comfortable with Medix.”

The city will not have to pay the ambulance company because the franchise agreement gives the company the right to charge customers for service. Ambulance rates are set by the county and range from $225 to more than $300, depending on whether a patient needs medication before being taken to the hospital. All three firms indicated they would be charging the maximum rate for a service call.

Medix officials said they would move the company’s corporate office to Mission Viejo, which Cody said influenced her decision.

“If on the odd chance there’s a disaster, their vehicles would be close by,” she said.

But Lowe, a county Fire Department captain, wasn’t impressed by the firm’s decision to move or its listed response times.

“The numbers can be misleading,” he said. “I’ve worked with all three (ambulance firms) and I’m most comfortable with Doctor’s.”

All three firms had strongly lobbied the council in the weeks before the vote, Cody said.