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DESCRIPTION AND CONDITIONS: On April 25, 1996, Able Health Services, referred to as "Able" hereafter in this document, submitted an application along with a fee of $100.00 for a Class "E" Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to provide wheelchair transportation services within the County. Able Health Services is a subsidiary of Able Aviation and Air Ambulance, Inc. Pursuant to Chapter 304 of the Indian River County Code, an investigation was conducted regarding the application and public need for additional wheelchair service providers in the County. It should be noted that Able Aviation and Air Ambulance, Inc., currently holds a Class "B" Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity in Indian River County to provide non -emergency advanced life support interfacility transport services. As part of the .investigation, each municipality, hospital, EMS provider, and each nursing home/facility in the County was contacted or corresponded with by mail. Also an informational meeting was held on August 6, 1996, with notice given so that input from the providers, municipalities, interested groups, or citizens could be obtained and questions regarding the proposed service could be answered by a representative of Able. Prior to the meeting and as part of the investigation, additional -documentation was requested from Able which Mr. Gary Burdsall, representing the company, promptly provided. It should be noted that the reason this matter is not coming before the Board within the 60 day period required by Chapter 304 is due to Able requesting that their Class "B" certificate renewal be completed and considered by the Board before scheduling the Class "E" application public hearing. The Class "B" renewal of Able was approved routinely by the Board on July 16, 1996. Able is not currently providing wheelchair transportation services in Indian River County, since no contract exists with the Community Transportation Coordinator and the company does not hold, but is attempting to obtain through this process, a certificate of public convenience and necessity. The investigation revealed that Able has been -in the EMS ground transportation business in Indian River County for a little over two years. The business is headquartered in St. Lucie County at 3100 Airmans Drive near the airport. The parent company has been in the EMS air transport business since 1987 and continues to have nine (9) air transport units operating out of several major airports in Florida. Prior to the time Indian River County adopted the wheelchair ordinance in September, 1995, Able was providing wheelchair transportation services in the County. They are currently authorized to provide wheelchair services in St. Lucie County. If granted a certificate, the company would utilize its fleet of three wheelchair vans to serve clients in Indian River County. All of the vehicles are Ford vans, one of which is a 1993 model and.two of which are '1995 models. Able also has six (6) ambulances that are used for EMS ALS non -emergency transport services within the scope of their Class "B" certificate. The company's proposed fee schedule was reviewed, and staff determined it is reasonable and comparable with other wheelchair providers. The EMS Director sent notices to and requested input from forty-two different agencies or individuals during the investigation. At the informational meeting on August 6, 1996, Mr. Burdsall presented information about his company and the rationale for requesting a certificate, with emphasis on providing the service on a private 26 September 24, 1996 BOOK 99 FAI��