AZ Fire Officials Consider Launching Ambulance Service
Jim Walsh East Valley Tribune (Mesa, Ariz.) 08.31.2020
Jim Walsh East Valley Tribune (Mesa, Ariz.) 08.31.2020
Mesa's city council is expected to approve the purchase of six ambulances, doubling the city's fleet and laying a foundation for the Mesa Fire and Medical Department to start its own service.
"With a long-term contract with industry giant American Medical Response, or AMR, about to expire at the end of November, Mesa is exploring its options.
While no final decision has been made, the Mesa City Council is expected to authorize the purchase of six new ambulances on Monday at a cost of $1.6 million, doubling the city’s fleet to 12.
The move comes almost a week after Gilbert Town Council did the same thing, voting to purchase six ambulances and replace AMR – a move that company officials called unwarranted.
Candace Cannistraro, Mesa’s management and budget director, said the funding comes from the Ambulance Transport Fund that comprises revenue generated from patients using the service.
