November 18, 2016
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.
Ambulance Service Plan - FINAL (740.51 KB)
Plan Attachments (3.91 MB)
Presentation to Board of County Commissioners (590.62 KB)
Response to Comments (82.55 KB)
1994 Ambulance Service Plan (5.68 MB)