Board to Weigh Ambulance Plan

Ventura County’s three private ambulance companies could face competition for the first time from the county Fire Department under a proposal being considered by the Board of Supervisors.

The board is scheduled Tuesday to decide whether to open the bidding for ambulance and paramedic service to the county Fire Department and others. For 20 years, the county has held exclusive contracts with Ojai Ambulance, Gold Coast Ambulance Service and Pruner Health Services, which was recently acquired by CareLine California.

But county firefighters have been pushing for the department to establish its own ambulance and paramedic program. Firefighters said they are usually first to arrive at the scene of accidents, so they could provide quicker medical care.

County Supervisors Judy Mikels and Frank Schillo, however, have said they are pleased with the current ambulance service and are leaning against open bidding. The supervisors said that starting up a firefighter paramedic program would be too costly for the county, which is facing a projected $38-million deficit this year.

In a report to the board, Barbara Brodfuehrer, administrator of the county’s emergency medical services, said the county has other options to consider. It could, for instance, train firefighters as paramedics and still contract with ambulance companies to provide transportation.