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After hearing the staff recommendation, comments from the applicant, and discussion among the Commissioners, the Board voted to continue the public hearing until August 9, 1994, for the purpose of obtaining additional information regarding the transport needs in the north county area. On July 11, 1994, the EMS Director met with the Executive Director of the Sebastian River Medical Center regarding the hospital's interfacility transport needs. During the meeting, it was evident that county staff needed to provide additional information to the facility regarding certificate requirements and therefore, an overview of the EMS certificate process and the different categories of EMS service levels authorized and available from local providers was explained in detail. Although it was not stated that additional interfacility transport providers were required, the facility did allude to the fact that it was the hospital's preference to use Able Ambulance in lieu of the service provided by the Indian River Memorial Hospital transport service for various reasons. The facility indicated support for Able Ambulance to provide this service. As stated in the prior meeting with the Board, the Indian River Memorial Hospital Transport Service is the only other provider for ALS/BLS non -emergency interfacility transport within the County. The Hospital opposes the issuance of a certificate to Able Ambulance, although it was indicated they would be amenable to working out some form of a mutual aid agreement with Able Ambulance. ALTERNATIVES AND ANALYSIS The EMS Director met with Able Ambulance officers Gary Burdsall and Eric Price on July 29, 1994. At the meeting, staff was provided with information which supported the issuance of a certificate. As of August 2, 1994, sufficient information has been received by the EMS Director from local facilities in the County, not provided earlier, that would warrant the issuance of a certificate of public convenience and necessity for EMS interfacility transport for Able Ambulance. The EMS Director has personally visited the central facility of Able Ambulance at the St. Lucie Airport and found the organization to be well equipped, responsive to calls, and sufficiently staffed to serve Indian River County as an additional provider of ALS/BLS non- emergency interfacility EMS transport service. It appears to staff that the following alternatives are available to the Board: 1. Deny the application for a certificate to provide non- emergency interfacility transport. 2. Approve a certificate to provide non -emergency interfacility transport limited to calls originating in certain areas or facilities within the county. 3. Approve a certificate of public convenience and necessity for Able Ambulance to provide ALS/BLS non -emergency interfacility EMS transport service throughout Indian River County, subject to the requirements of Chapter 304 of the Indian River County Code; Chapter 401, Florida Statutes; and Chapter 1OD-66, Florida Administrative Rule. 9 more J PAGE 47 August 9, 1994