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Public Hearing – Alpha Ambulance Franchise Application Page 3 Ambulance Franchise Administrator’s Findings Chief Earley has thoroughly reviewed Alpha Ambulance’s franchise application and has conducted an investigation in accordance with the Riverside Municipal Code. Specifically, he has made the following conclusions as it relates the areas outlined in the Riverside Municipal Code. Do the public health, safety, welfare, convenience, and necessity require the granting of the franchise for the operating area and level of service? Chief Earley consulted with REMSA to determine whether it had any evidence or data indicating that there was an unmet public health, safety, welfare, convenience, or necessity for ambulance service within the City of Riverside. His consultations with REMSA failed to yield any evidence to demonstrate that there were any significant gaps or unmet needs related to ambulance services within the City of Riverside. Chief Earley also reviewed AMR’s response time and overall performance and found them to be within standards. It was found that during calendar year 2010, only one complaint was received regarding AMR transport services, which was determined to be substantiated (delayed service request). As a result AMR implemented operational changes to eliminate a reoccurrence. Fire Department staff meets with representatives of AMR on a quarterly basis to review response time performance standards, and have determined that AMR is in compliance with all terms of the existing agreement. Finally, Battalion Chief Mitch Wesche surveyed 10 extended care facilities and three hospitals regarding their satisfaction with the BLS and CCT transport services currently being provided. These facilities reported that they were satisfied with the existing level of service and the majority of respondents rated AMR’s overall quality of service as “Excellent.” The complete results of the survey are included as Attachment B. RMC 5.66.040(A)(15) requires applicants to include facts and evidence that granting a franchise is in the public need. Alpha Ambulance has indicated unnecessary extended wait times and the ability to reduce the fire department’s response to BLS natured calls. They have provided no facts or evidence to support unnecessary extended wait times and the granting of an additional franchise is in the public need. As a result, Chief Earley concludes that public health, safety, welfare, convenience, and necessity do not require granting of the franchise for the operating area and level of service. The applicant has failed to demonstrate that there exists sufficient potential need for additional ambulance service to justify the granting of another franchise. (RMC Section 5.66.060.) Does the applicant meet all requirements of the governing RMC chapter? Alpha Ambulance through its application statement of facts provides supporting information indicating capability and qualification to operate and render ambulance services. They have been inspected and approved to operate within Riverside County by REMSA since December 2010, and that Alpha Ambulance is a newly permitted provider. The applicant has identified five ambulances and sufficient personnel in its application which would be capable of providing minimal service levels. Would granting the franchise threaten the viability and services of the existing franchisee? The Fire Department delivers ALS services via fourteen (14) strategically located fire stations and seventeen (17) advanced life support units, facilitating exceptional response times in accordance