Santa Clara County Chooses New Ambulance Provider Bid

SAN JOSE (KCBS) - Despite pleas from local paramedics, Santa Clara County supervisors have voted to begin negotiations with an out-of-state ambulance provider.

The bid from Rural/Metro was not only significantly cheaper, County Executive Jeff Smith said it also offered coverage of more area in Santa Clara County.

"It also covers the South and North County more vigorously," he said.

KCBS' Matt Bigler Reports:

Smith said they found no evidence that the company low-balled the bid just to get the job.

Dozens of paramedics pleaded with supervisors on Tuesday to stick with the current company, American Medical Response, and fire officials from several cities said Rural/Metro's bid was flawed.

That included Milpitas Fire Department Battalion Chief Scott Brown.

"We feel that the outreach to the city partners has been inadequate and warrants further study," Brown said.

But by a vote of 3-2, the supervisors voted to enter into exclusive negotiations with Rural/Metro. Still, it's likely that many of the paramedics with AMR will be rehired by the new ambulance company.

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