Subject:
Title
Renewal of Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity for Advanced Life Support providers.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the renewal of Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity (COPCN) for the attached list of Advanced Life Support (ALS) providers. COPCNs are issued by Boards of County Commissioners in all counties in Florida. The certificate allows Emergency Medical Services (EMS) provider agencies to be licensed by the Florida Department of Health.
• The certificate process ensures there are coordinated and regulated EMS Systems at a county level. Certificates are issued on an annual basis to ensure continuous compliance to the various standards and requirements. There is no fiscal impact for certifications. Staff administration of the process is included in the annual operating budget for the EMS Fund.
• A COPCN is issued to ALS First Responders, ALS Helicopters, Hospital ground ambulances, and Sunstar in accordance with Section 401.25, Florida Statutes. There are 26 agencies that have been issued COPCNs by the BCC:
o ALS First Responders (18): Cities of Clearwater, Dunedin, Gulfport, Largo, Madeira Beach, Oldsmar, Pinellas Park, Safety Harbor, Seminole, South Pasadena, St. Pete Beach, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Treasure Island, East Lake Tarpon Special Fire Control District, Lealman Special Fire Control District, Palm Harbor Special Fire Control & Rescue District, and Pinellas Suncoast Fire & Rescue District.
o ALS Helicopter Ambulances (5): Florida Health Sciences Center, Inc., d/b/a Tampa General Hospital-Aeromed; Rocky Mountain Holdings, L.L.C., d/b/a Bayflite; Med-Trans Corporation, d/b/a LifeLine All Children’s Hospital; Med-Trans Corporation, d/b/a Med Trans Florida; and Med-Trans Corporation d/b/a AirStar 1.
o Hospitals - Ground - Neonatal/Pediatric Interfacility (2): Johns Hopkins All Children’s Lifeline (Interfacility Ground); and BayCare Health System, d/b/a St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, Inc.
o Sunstar (1): Pinellas County Emergency Medical Services Authority, d/b/a Sunstar.
• The current COPCNs will expire on December 31, 2025. If approved, the new expiration date will be December 31, 2026.
Authorize the Chairman to sign and the Clerk of the Circuit Court to attest.
Body
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.
Summary:
Summary
A Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (COPCN) is issued to the Advanced Life Support (ALS) First Responders, ALS Helicopter Ambulances, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital, and Sunstar, pursuant to Pinellas County Code, Chapter 54, and in accordance with Florida Statutes, Section 401.25.
Body
Background Information:
COPCNs are issued by Boards of County Commissioners in all counties in Florida. The certificate allows EMS provider agencies to be licensed by the Florida Department of Health. The certificate process ensures there are coordinated and regulated EMS Systems at a county level. Certificates are issued on an annual basis to ensure continuous compliance to the various standards and requirements. The current COPCNs for the attached list of providers will expire on December 31, 2025.
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:
James G. Fogarty, Director, Safety and Emergency Services
Partners:
Cities of Clearwater, Dunedin, Gulfport, Largo, Madeira Beach, Oldsmar, Pinellas Park, Safety Harbor, Seminole, South Pasadena, St. Pete Beach, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, and Treasure Island; East Lake Tarpon Special Fire Control District; Lealman Special Fire Control District; Palm Harbor Special Fire Control & Rescue District; and Pinellas Suncoast Fire & Rescue District. Florida Health Sciences Center, Inc., d/b/a Tampa General Hospital-Aeromed; Rocky Mountain Holdings, L.L.C., d/b/a Bayflite; Med-Trans Corporation, d/b/a LifeLine All Children’s Hospital; Med-Trans Corporation, d/b/a Med Trans Florida; and Med-Trans Corporation d/b/a AirStar 1. Johns Hopkins All Children’s Lifeline (Interfacility Ground); and BayCare Health System, d/b/a St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, Inc. Pinellas County Emergency Medical Services Authority, d/b/a Sunstar.
Attachments:
ALS COPCN Provider Agency Listing
COPCN Applications/Certificate of Insurance/Self-Insurance
COPCN Certificates