DEPARTMENT: Fire
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Charles N. Hood
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Letter of Approval for Alianza Ambulance, Inc.
SUMMARY:
An Ordinance authorizing the issuance of a letter of approval for Alianza Ambulance, Inc. in connection with its application to the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) for a license to operate an emergency medical service in the City of San Antonio.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Section 773.041 of the Texas Health and Safety Code provides that an emergency medical services provider must be licensed by the Department of State Health Services. Section 773.0573 of that Code provides that, in order to obtain such a license, an applicant must obtain a letter of approval from the governing body of the municipality in which the applicant is applying to provide emergency medical services. Section 773.0573 also provides that the governing body of the municipality may issue said letter of approval to an emergency medical services provider applicant only if the governing body determines that (1) the addition of another licensed emergency medical services provider will not interfere with or adversely affect the provision of emergency medical services by the licensed emergency medical services providers operating in the municipality and (2) the addition of another licensed emergency medical services provider will not cause an oversupply of licensed emergency medical services providers in the municipality.
Alianza Ambulance, Inc., which operates a business located in Eagle Pass, Texas, proposes to provide non-emergency, basic life support transport to patients wishing to travel to and from the Eagle Pass area to and from San Antonio. In order to operate such a business, Alianza Ambulance, Inc. must obtain from the DSHS an emergency medical services provider license. Pursuant to Section 773.0573, Alianza Ambulance, Inc. is required to obtain a letter of approval from the City of San Antonio.
The Fire Department has reviewed the request of Alianza Ambulance, Inc. and believes the addition of another licensed emergency medical services provider to operate the sort of business that Alianza Ambulance, Inc. proposes to operate will not interfere with or adversely affect the provision of emergency medical services by the licensed emergency medical services providers operating in the City of San Antonio. The Fire Department also believes that the addition of another licensed emergency medical services provider will not cause an oversupply of licensed emergency medical services providers in the City of San Antonio.
The issuance of a letter of approval will not result in Alianza Ambulance, Inc. being permitted to respond to any 911 calls within the City of San Antonio. The San Antonio Fire Department is the sole provider of City of San Antonio’s 911 Emergency Medical Service. Alianza Ambulance, Inc. has been advised of this and agrees to it.
ISSUE:
Whether to issue a letter of approval to Alianza Ambulance, Inc. pursuant to Section 773.0573 of the Texas Health and Safety Code in connection with its application to the DSHS for an emergency medical services provider license.
ALTERNATIVES:
The City could choose not to provide a letter of approval to Alianza Ambulance, Inc. The City is not required to do so.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The City of San Antonio will collect $5,000.00 annually if the City of San Antonio issues the letter of approval as part of the franchise fee council approved in the FY 2016 Adopted Budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the approval of the issuance of a letter of approval for Alianza Ambulance.