Falck USA quickly hiring workers, ordering equipment, getting federal approvals, negotiating labor deals San Diego's incoming ambulance operator impressing city with progress during transition american medical response jodie pierce troy hagen
New provider, Falck, would increase ambulance service 20 percent; public hearing slated Feb. 10
Councilwoman Monica Montgomery Steppe, chair of the council’s public safety committee, said she is confident Falck will serve San Diego more equitably.
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“Residents must be confident that all areas of the city will be covered fairly,” she said.
Montgomery Steppe also said the new equipment provided by Falck, including 65 new ambulances, will alleviate morale problems city ambulance workers have been experiencing while working in older ambulances with outdated equipment.
Councilwoman Marni von Wilpert, while voting yes, criticized Falck for opposing labor unions in other cities where it provides ambulance service. She also told Chief Stowell she doubts whether the city’s contract with Falck is strong enough.
San Diego City Council Unanimously Supports Contract with Falck emsworld.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from emsworld.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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The upgrades would include 65 new ambulances plus new gurneys, cardiac monitors and compression devices. The city also would regain control of some facilities now occupied by American Medical Response.
But perhaps more importantly, the contract would allow enforceable penalties for slow response times, which has previously been a problem in some San Diego communities south of state Route 94.
“The current contract does not have protections against extremely long response times, which represent significant delay in patient care and transport, with possible adverse outcomes,” Stowell said.
AMR said in response that it would also make all the upgrades cited by Chief Stowell because they are requirements demanded by the city last year when it solicited proposals to handle its ambulance service.