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Council schedules public hearing for Acadian Ambulance certificate as members debate market impact
Summary
The council called a public hearing (Nov. 12) on Acadian Ambulance Service's application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity while members expressed concern an additional operator could "cannibalize" existing providers; members said due process requires the hearing even as an RFP for BLS services proceeds.
The Mobile City Council set a public hearing for Nov. 12 on an application by Acadian Ambulance Service for a certificate of public convenience and necessity to operate an ambulance service in the city.
Mister Brown and several council members questioned whether another certificate should proceed now. Mister Brown recalled recent hearings and fire-department reports and said past processes led to an existing operator27s withdrawal. Council members said adding an additional provider could "pick off" calls and destabilize current private providers, a phenomenon they described as cannibalization.
Council members also noted the city recently issued a request for proposals (RFP) for basic life support (BLS) services; staff said only one respondent had been responsive on the first RFP and that the city would reissue it and hold a pre-bid meeting to attract responsive bids. One speaker suggested waiting for the RFP results before taking further action, but others said when a company submits an application, due process entitles that applicant a public hearing.
No certificate was granted at pre-council. The council recorded that the public hearing is scheduled and that the RFP process for BLS services is ongoing and may influence decisions about additional certificates.
