Board backs moving North State Medical Transport franchise renewal to March consent agenda

John Studnick, Wake County EMS director, presented a staff recommendation to renew a non-emergency ambulance franchise for North State Medical Transport and asked the board to hold a public hearing and place the renewal on the March 2 consent agenda for final approval.

Studnick explained the county’s franchise approach and said there are currently seven franchisees. He said Wake County does not regulate franchisee billing rates or provide subsidies; the county’s role is to require franchises to hold the county franchise and meet state EMS standards. “There is not a cap within our ordinance for the number of non emergency ambulance providers,” Studnick said when asked by Commissioner Waters.

Commissioners asked operational questions: Commissioner Stallings asked whether existing providers are sufficient given county growth; Studnick said the market is competitive and staff would consider additional franchisees if applicants apply. Commissioner Madison raised concerns about timeliness and equipment condition for non-emergency transports used by elderly residents; Studnick said vehicle mechanical inspections are conducted by the North Carolina Office of EMS and staff offered to survey franchisee collection processes and provide that information to the board.

The board opened the public hearing (no members of the public spoke), then made a motion to request staff to return the franchise renewal on the March 2 agenda for approval; the motion carried by voice vote.

What’s next: Staff will place the North State Medical Transport renewal on the March 2 consent agenda as requested and said it will provide responses to commissioner questions on collection practices and vehicle condition in a follow-up memo.