Suit Moves City to Push Law on Ambulances

Faced with a court challenge, city officials are expected to pass an “urgency ordinance” today that would clearly define their right to operate their own emergency ambulance service.

The new law would clarify legislation passed in August 1995, when the city took over emergency service from two private ambulance companies. City Manager David L. Rudat, who was then the fire chief, argued that the city could cut response time and raise revenue if firefighters also operated ambulances.

However, the private companies providing service at the time--Medix Ambulance Service Inc. of Tustin and Santa Ana-based CareLine California--objected. CareLine sought an emergency injunction against the action, but it was denied.

At the same time, Medix filed a lawsuit that is due to be heard Dec. 9 in Orange County Superior Court. “We never went away,” said Medix President Michael J. Dimas of his company’s lawsuit.

Medix is arguing that the Fire Department should have been required to submit a competitive bid along with the private companies before landing all of the city’s business, Dimas said. The city’s own ordinance on the issue provides for a competitive bidding process, the lawsuit contends.

The urgency ordinance up for debate at today’s council meeting would amend that statute. It states that the city does not have to compete against the private sector because ambulance service is a municipal function.

The council meets at 4:30 p.m. in City Hall, 300 E. Chapman Ave. Information: (714) 744-5500.