INDIAN RIVER COUNTY – A third ambulance company has been given the green light to provide transport services in Indian River County after the Board of County Commissioners overruled its staff recommendation.
We Care of the Treasure Coast, based in Stuart, has received a permit to provide non-emergency ambulance transport between hospitals and other medical facilities for patients who have special transport needs. Paula Barakos, vice president of the ambulance company, told commissioners that hers is a small company, starting as a husband-wife team that has since grown to include 12 ambulances and 30 employees serving Martin and St. Lucie Counties and has been in operation for 10 years.
Assistant Fire Chief Brian Burkeen recommended against awarding the permit to We Care, telling commissioners that there is not enough need for additional transport as there are two other companies – All County Ambulance and American Ambulance – provide services to Indian River County.
“Needs are being met in our eyes,” Burkeen said of the Emergency Services staff.
Burkeen added that bringing in more competition could have a negative effect on overall transport, explaining that too many companies could over saturate the market.
Commissioners didn’t agree.
“I like competition,” said Commissioner Gary Wheeler, who added that patients pay for the private transport and competition could mean lower prices.
Commissioners argued that there might not be as much competition for service as it appears because All County Ambulance and American Ambulance are owned by the same people.
Eddie Szymczyk, vice president of All County Ambulance, told commissioners that the two companies are separate entities, though they are owned by the same. He also said the companies charge the same rates for transport.
Szymczyk told commissioners that he believes another ambulance transport company is not needed in Indian River County.
“We’re doing an outstanding job,” he said.
While no commissioners took issue with the two companies’ service, they did voice support for bringing in the new company.
“I don’t see competition as a bad thing at all,” said Commissioner Wesley Davis
Burkeen told commissioners he recommended against We Care due to a county ordinance that requires the county to consider the need for transport before approving more service.
“This defies logic,” Davis said. “I want to give them the opportunity – not necessarily the opportunity to provide services – but the opportunity to fail.”
Davis also said he disagrees with the process We Care of the Treasure Coast had to go through in order to come before the commissioners.
“I think it’s absurd,” he said.
Commissioners have asked County Administrator Joe Baird to bring the ordinance pertaining to the issue back before the board for discussion at a later date.