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Regional EMS consortium selects MetroWest after bids; AMR files protest
Summary
City staff reported that a regional EMS consortium, led by Riverside Fire Authority, ran an RFP and recommended MetroWest (operator of Olympic Ambulance) for primary 9‑1‑1 ALS/BLS service; AMR has filed a protest. The consortium cited proposed AMR rate increases as a driver for going to bid.
City staff updated the Chehalis City Council on Feb. 24 that the regional EMS consortium voted to pursue a new contract for primary 9‑1‑1 advanced life support (ALS) and basic life support (BLS) ambulance service and recommended awarding the contract to MetroWest.
The Fire Chief (presenting the update) said AMR had requested multiple rate increases between October 2023 and September 2024, at one point proposing a per-run charge as high as $4,104 and a proposed mileage rate substantially higher than prior levels. "That rate increase ... drove a consensus of the consortium to go out to bid," the Fire Chief said.
RFP responses included Northwest Ambulance (MetroWest/Olympic Ambulance affiliation), Medex and AMR. After scoring, the consortium recommended MetroWest — which the Fire Chief said offered rates more in line with other Washington providers — and set a target transition date of June 1. The Fire Chief added that AMR has submitted a protest of the RFP award and that the lead agency (Riverside Fire) is processing that protest.
Staff framed the decision as primarily driven by cost to residents and insured parties; the Chief reported that the consortium was concerned about high out‑of‑pocket exposure for residents if AMR's proposed rates were accepted. Council did not take a formal municipal vote on procurement at the meeting; the update was informational and the protest process remains underway.
