Southwest Ambulance nears deal to compete with AMR

Diana Sahagun

Thursday, July 20, 2000 | 11:01 a.m.

Six months and two lawsuits later, Southwest Ambulance is getting closer to a regional franchise agreement that will allow the company to go head to head with its competitor -- American Medical Response.

North Las Vegas Transportation Manager Ray Burke said Wednesday that the city is one month away from presenting an ordinance to the council, which will include Southwest as the second ambulance provider.

In February, Southwest was given the go-ahead to begin talks with Las Vegas, Clark County and North Las Vegas to apply for a license and begin negotiating a franchise agreement.

The Clark County Commission, as well as the North Las Vegas and Las Vegas councils must approve the franchise agreement.

The three jurisdictions have struck different agreements with Southwest, making the franchise contract progress lengthy. Southwest eventually will provide nonemergency and emergency service to North Las Vegas and Clark County. It will respond only to nonemergency calls in Las Vegas. North Las Vegas staff must also draft a new city ordinance.

Part of the council's motion said that negotiations with Southwest will take place concurrently with AMR, whose contract expires in North Las Vegas in February.

And although the arguments were tense months ago, Burke said for the most part both providers are working together.

There are, though, four sticking points, which keep popping up between the two.

The first item involves allowing ambulances for special events. The city's current ordinance does not address the matter.

Secondly, the city is proposing to take out the "need and necessity" portion of the ordinance, and give the council discretion to decide if the city needs another ambulance provider.

The third item will address the term of the franchise. The franchise agreement with AMR was for five years with two extensions.

The final item addresses exemptions included in the contract.