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Durham County approves four nonemergency ambulance franchises
Summary
The Board of County Commissioners unanimously granted two‑year nonemergency ambulance franchises to JenCare, North State (Midwest Medical), Priority Care and Providence after an EMS presentation and brief public comment about workforce diversity and oversight.
Durham County commissioners voted unanimously Dec. 8 to award four nonemergency ambulance franchises, a move county staff said will improve reliability for scheduled medical transports and free up 9‑1‑1 resources.
Seth Kamanski, chief of Durham County EMS, opened the public hearing by citing enabling authority and the county ordinance: “This public hearing is being held in accordance with North Carolina general statute 153A‑250,” and said the four applicants met the county’s minimum requirements under Durham County Ordinance chapter 12. Kamanski told commissioners the franchise model aims to ensure consistent care, regulatory oversight and equitable access for vulnerable residents who need scheduled medical transport.
Representatives from the four applicants described their local operations. Carly Dodson of Midwest Medical (doing business as North State Medical Transport) said her firm operates 24/7 with about 16 ambulances and “95 field employees” in the region and offered to provide demographic breakdowns later. Todd Cornett of JANCare said JANCare averages about 12,000 transports a year for Duke hospitals and staffs roughly 65–70 people in Durham County. Other applicants described fleet sizes and services; public commenter Victoria Peterson asked about racial and gender diversity among staff and the dollar value or contract terms for the franchises. Kamanski clarified these are franchise recognitions rather than county service contracts and that services are billed through the companies.
The board made separate motions for each award. Commissioner Burton moved to grant a franchise to JenCare; subsequent motions granted franchises to Midwest Medical/North State, Priority Care and Providence Transportation. Each motion passed unanimously and county staff said franchises become effective upon execution of franchise agreements and continued compliance with county requirements.
