ORANGE : City Moves to Clinch Ambulance Dispute
In a move to circumvent an upcoming court hearing, the city’s Fire Department today will begin its new ambulance program, six days earlier than planned.
Two private ambulance companies are fighting an August council decision to allow fire officials to become exclusive providers of emergency ambulance care. Earlier this month, CareLine California and Medix Ambulance Service filed lawsuits in Superior Court seeking an injunction.
A hearing on one of those two lawsuits is set for Oct. 31, one day before the Fire Department’s program was to begin. By starting the service today, the city will already have its system in operation, an advantage should the judge rule to keep the status quo, said David L. Rudat, interim city manager.
Medix and CareLine officials will be informed today of the city’s action, Rudat said.
Rudat had argued that firefighters already provide all paramedic care and could cut response time and bring in revenue for the city.
The ambulance companies disputed Rudat’s numbers, however, and argued that the city was putting them out of business. Their lawsuits allege that city officials violated a municipal code that says the city must go through a competitive bidding process before contracting for services.
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