Subject:
Title
Issuance of 17 Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity for non-medical wheelchair transport and stretcher van providers.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Sitting as the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Authority, issue 17 Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity (COPCN) for each wheelchair/stretcher van transport provider on the attached listing.
• My MediRides LLC and Batista Transportation LLC have completed new COPCN applications and meet the Authority’s requirement to operate as a non-medical wheelchair transport provider.
• The attached list includes firms that have completed two new and 15 renewal COPCN applications, and all meet the Authority’s requirements to operate as non-medical wheelchair/stretcher van transport providers.
• If approved, the 17 COPCNs will be effective on July 1, 2026, and expire on June 30, 2027. Certificates approved during this period will be renewed in June 2027 as part of the annual batch renewal process.
• 6 of the 17 firms have applied to render both wheelchair and stretcher van transport services.
• Vehicle inspections are performed prior to issuing the COPCNs, and records are kept on file.
• The County is transitioning from a paper application to a new electronic system, and all providers have met the requirements.
• This item has no fiscal impact. Staff administration of the process is included in the annual operating budget for the EMS Fund.
Authorize the Chairman to sign the certificates.
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Strategic Priorities:
Healthy and Safe Communities
2.1 Improve public health.
2.2 Enhance community safety.
Summary:
Summary
The firms on the attached provider list have completed renewal applications and have met the Authority’s requirements to operate as non-medical wheelchair/stretcher van transport businesses in Pinellas County. The current Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity (COPCN) will expire on June 30, 2026. There are a total of 17 providers of which six (6) have applied to render both wheelchair and stretcher van transport services.
If approved, the 17 COPCNs will expire on June 30, 2027.
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Background Information:
Pursuant to Pinellas County Code, Chapter 54, firms providing Wheelchair/Stretcher Van Transportation Services are required to obtain a COPCN in order to operate in Pinellas County. For each service provider, the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division of Safety and Emergency Services provides various administrative duties such as keeping records, verifying forms, updating vehicle and driver rosters, reviewing Certificates of Incorporation, Certification of Fictitious Names, insurance verification forms, and retail rate forms. EMS also performs vehicle inspections on thirteen (13) criteria for each transport vehicle. Some providers have dozens of vehicles.
Vehicle inspections are performed prior to issuing the COPCNs, and records are kept on file.
The County is transitioning from a paper application to a new electronic system, and all providers have met the requirements.
Fiscal Impact:
There is no fee for certification. Staff administration of the process is included in the annual operating budget for the EMS Fund.
Staff Member Responsible:
David Hare, Interim Bureau Director, Safety and Emergency Services
Partners:
Batista Transportation LLC
EV Elite Vehicles
Express Wheelchair Transport
First Transit Inc.
Florida Medical Transport
Frang Zeal LLC
KERT LLC
Med-Line Medical Transport
Medfleet LLC
My MediRides LLC
National NEMT LLC
NDI Health Services LLC DBA Skyline Transport
Stratus Transport LLC
Sunny Wheelchair Transportation LLC
TruCare Transport
Wealth Warren Services & Solutions
Wheelchair Transport Service, Inc.
Attachments:
Provider Agency List
COPCN Certificates
COPCN Applications