By Larry Mitchell
Chico Enterprise-Record
Copyright 2007 MediaNews Group, Inc. and ANG Newspapers
All Rights Reserved
OROVILLE, Calif. — Butte County supervisors will be asked today to approve a tentative $144,000 contract with a consultant who would help the county develop a plan for awarding franchises to one or more ambulance services.
The contract would only go into effect if county supervisors later decide to award a franchise or franchises, said Phyllis Murdock, director of the county Public Health Department.
She said it’s important to have a consultant lined up in case the supervisors decide to move in that direction.
Depending on the outcome of a lawsuit pending in Butte County Superior Court, it’s possible supervisors will decide to award exclusive contracts to one or more ambulance services, she said.
For ambulance service, the county is now divided up into five zones, which are served by two ambulance companies: First Responder and the Enloe Medical Center ambulance.
Zone 1, is the Chico area north of Big Chico Creek, and Zone 2 is the Chico area south of Big Chico Creek. On even-numbered days, First Responder covers Zone 1 and Enloe covers Zone 2. On odd-numbered days, Enloe covers Zone 1 and First Responder covers Zone 2.
Zone 3, including Paradise and Magalia, is served by First Responder, as is Zone 4, which includes Oroville and the southeastern part of the county.
Enloe serves Zone 5, the Biggs-Gridley area.
The lawsuit came about after a third company, Priority One, tried to start operating in the county.
Enloe, First Responder and Oroville Hospital all sued, arguing that the two ambulance companies already were “grandfathered” in and that allowing other companies into the area was inappropriate.
The suit is scheduled to be set for trial later this month.
Murdock said because it takes months to line up a consultant, the county went ahead and invited consultants to offer proposals in case the supervisors ultimately decide to call for bids and award one or more contracts for ambulance service.
Four consultants submitted proposals, which were reviewed by a committee of county Health Department staff members. The committee recommended the firm of Fitch and Associates.