Oregon law requires counties have an Ambulance Service Plan. Since the last plan in 1994, Multnomah County has grown 28 percent and is more culturally, economically and geographically diverse.
- The plan will be used to develop an RFP to find the most qualified bidder to provide 9-1-1 emergency ambulance services to the entire County.
- The plan retains what works well. That includes:
- One emergency ambulance provider serving under one medical director, one dispatch center and with fire departments providing first response. (American Medical Response is that provider currently.)
- The draft plan proposes two major changes:
- Allows the provider awarded the contract to subcontract some work to address unusual circumstances such as high demand or difficult geography.
- Anticipates that the 911 dispatch system will be improved so that the emergency response better matches the medical need.
- Since late 2015, the County has met with stakeholders, and held a public webinar, meeting, and comment period on the plan. County staff held multiple meetings with current and past Portland Fire and Rescue leadership over the last 6 months; the draft plan was open for public comment for 2 weeks in October including a public meeting.
- Neither the plan nor RFP will determine whether an ambulance provider or fire department can tap new reimbursements for treating people on Medicaid, as now allowed under a new state law. That authority lies with the Oregon Health Authority and coordinated care organizations - not Multnomah County.
- County Commissioners are expected to vote on an amended draft plan on Dec. 8, 2015. An RFP will be developed and issued by summer, with a provider selected in early 2018, and in place by September, 2018.