Ambulance services update
Summary
Two veteran paramedics said Mercy's new 911 contract is failing: 90 open shifts this month, 16 experienced employees gone, and imported medics housed in hotels. County staff defended the transition and promised a full report soon.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 6
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 20, 2026.
Impact analysis
The Mercy contract costs $6,556,467 a year, and speakers noted it was the more expensive bid option.
Residents get an expanded ambulance deployment model if staffing stabilizes.
Residents dialing 911 face compromised response times while experienced local paramedics leave, speakers said.
Mentions & discussions (6)
Board of Supervisors - Oct 20, 2026
Three months in, the county reports faster response times, 31 new hires, and improved scene times — but fleet breakdowns, surging transfers, and Groveland residents' concerns about their parcel-tax-funded ambulance leaving the hill remain open issues.
Board of Supervisors - Sep 1, 2026
Two veteran paramedics said Mercy's new 911 contract is failing: 90 open shifts this month, 16 experienced employees gone, and imported medics housed in hotels. County staff defended the transition and promised a full report soon.
Board of Supervisors - Aug 11, 2026
Supervisor Brandon pressed for the long-delayed medical recovery fee — billing insurers for the ~85% of fire calls that are medical. The $36,000 study is done and drafted; staff say it goes to the finance committee in August, then the board.
Board of Supervisors - Jul 7, 2026
New fees make outside ambulance providers pay their share of county oversight, dispatch, and IT costs — roughly $484,000 the ambulance enterprise fund currently absorbs — plus an annual CPI bump.
Board of Supervisors - Apr 21, 2026
The county's emergency ambulance service contract with Mercy Medical Transport was up for approval, worth about $6.5 million plus performance incentives. This determines who answers 911 medical calls countywide and how those services are funded.
Board of Supervisors - Apr 7, 2026
A proposed ordinance would update county rules on ambulance provider agreements and permitting. The Board was set to introduce it and schedule adoption for April 21 — changes that shape who provides emergency medical transport and under what terms.
We'll email you when it's on an upcoming agenda and when it's voted on, at most once a day.
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