Subject:
Title
Issuance and renewal of Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity for provision of non-medical wheelchair transport service.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Sitting as the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Authority, issue and renew Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity (COPCN) for each non-medical wheelchair transport provider on the attached listing.
• Blue Car Transportation and America West Transportation, LLC, have completed applications and met the Authority’s requirements to operate as non-medical wheelchair transport providers.
• If approved, the one new and one renewal COPCN certificates will be effective on August 11, 2026, and expire on June 30, 2027. Certificates approved during this time period will be renewed in June 2027 as part of the annual batch renewal process.
• There are currently eleven firms providing non-medical wheelchairs, six firms providing non-medical wheelchairs and stretcher van, and two firms providing 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.
• There is no fiscal impact for certifications. 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.
Smart Service Delivery
4.2 Achieve and maintain a high level of customer satisfaction.
4.4 Pursue continuous improvement.
Summary:
Summary
Blue Car Transportation and America West Transportation, LLC, meet the Authority’s requirements to operate as non-medical wheelchair transport providers.
If approved, the one (1) new and one (1) renewal COPCN certificates 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.
There are currently eleven (11) firms providing non-medical wheelchair, six (6) firms providing non-medical wheelchair and stretcher van, and two (2) firms providing stretcher van transport services.
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:
Blue Car Transportation
America West Transportation, LLC
Attachments:
Provider Agency List
COPCN Applications
COPCN Certificates