Whats going on with AMR?

[Focallength]

So, I keep hearing all the time, "AMR just lost their 911 contract with xyz county" or they lost a portion and are sharing the duties with other companies.

Is AMR just going through a phase where they are getting out bid by smaller comapnies. AMR is huge and I know from experience, the bigger the company the bigger the overhead and the higher your rates. Smaller companies can afford to undercut the big ones. But Bigger companies can afford to make smaller profits per call because they can run more calls (ala walmart)

Anyway , just curious I know AMR buys up ambulance companies from time to time but I havent heard of them buying anyone out in a while.

 

[Motojunkie]

They just won a new contract here in Orlando with OFD and are replacing Rural/Metro

 

[Trayos]

I know they got a government contract here in Maryland (as well as the gulf coast area during oil cleanup), so they must have some friends in high places.

 

[terrible one]

Just bought out Gold Coast Ambulance in Oxnard, ca (ventura County)

 

[BLSBoy]

They just won a new contract here in Orlando with OFD and are replacing Rural/Metro

From what I hear, they submitted the lower bid, but there is still a decision to be made between them and going with OFD....

For the record, I think Rut/Roh and @ssholes, Monkeys, and Rejects are both horrible options.
Mixing 911 and IFT, System Status Management, and the low pay will NOT attract the best providers.
I hope and pray OFD will prevail, and the City will see that they have a chance to increase the safety for their citizens by allowing OFD to be the primary transporting agency in the City Beautiful.

Orlando, Fla., (May 27, 2010)-- An American Medical Response subsidiary was recently notified by the City of Orlando, Florida, that AMR was ranked the highest bidder and the City intends to enter into an exclusive agreement with AMR to provide 9-1-1 emergency ambulance services. AMR received the City’s notice of intent following a competitive bidding process, which was completed on April 16, 2010. AMR currently provides 9-1-1 and non emergency ambulance service in nine counties in Florida, with more than 650 employees and 250 vehicles.

“Since that time, there has been some misinformation circulating regarding our proposal to the City of Orlando, especially regarding our intentions for employing the current workforce,” said Doug Hooten, AMR’s local general manager. “Our proposal is a matter of public record, and our intentions are clear: we will recruit and transition all qualified employees of the incumbent ambulance provider and hire all individuals who meet our selection criteria. In addition, we will seek leadership talent among the current local workforce, and will invite current employees to apply for local supervisory positions,” he said.

“Assertions that hundreds of local EMS providers will be unemployed are simply not true,” he continued. “We recognize the wealth of skills and experience that the current employees bring to the city, and we intend to keep that local talent. What’s more, our proposal includes wages that exceed the current wage scales and we offer a comprehensive benefits package.”

“Our proposal also includes bringing in a fleet of brand new ambulances and equipment, so the workforce will have the advantage of the latest tools and technology to deliver high quality care to the community,” he concluded. Hooten noted that AMR is hosting an open house for current employees to discuss employment opportunities and to answer questions. The open house is being held Friday and Saturday, June 4 and 5, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day at the Doubletree Orlando, 5780 Major Blvd., Orlando.

 

[Sasha]

OFD wont transport. If they do that would take time away from their recliners. They'll give it to AMR.

 

[BLSBoy]

Wheres Rut/Roh?

 

[Sasha]

Wheres Rut/Roh?

Busy trying to steal contracts from American so they wont fold once their orlando contract is up. Or they COULD be around the back of FHS, doing IFT. Have you been back there in the middle of the day? There's tons of trucks back there, from FHEMS, American and RM. OR pulled along the side out of shot because FHS is often slammed busy and there are not enough parking spots for ambulances. It is rare to see OFD there or at any other hospital. Three of them is the unicorn.

Next time I'm at ORMC I'll snap a shot and we can play find OFD... despite a station literally down the street.

 

[BLSBoy]

Been there a couple times during medic school.
Therein lies the problem, they would rather take the sure thing, get paid from an IFT then leave enough trucks available for prehospital calls.

Not the way things should be run, but as long as municipalities will continue to let private EMS in, the issue will endure....

 

[Sasha]

Been there a couple times during medic school.
Therein lies the problem, they would rather take the sure thing, get paid from an IFT then leave enough trucks available for prehospital calls.

Not the way things should be run, but as long as municipalities will continue to let private EMS in, the issue will endure....

There is no sure thing of getting paid with IFT... Half the time the patient doesn't require an ambulance, medicare wont cover it, patient can't, but they eat the bill or risk angering the contracted hospital.

 

[atropine]

AMR in southern Cali lost some pretty big contracts in the LA Co area, but their still going good in some surrounding counties.

 

[Shishkabob]

Just to prove what BLS Boy said is a fallacy:

I work IFT in Dallas. I'm one of two medic trucks on at my time, and sometimes I'm the only one. Ill often get sent up to the county to cover for our 911 trucks so they aren't short. They have to turn down priority 2s in Dallas, and refer to other ALS transport companies, just so we can maintain 911 coverage.

 

[Sandog]

Wheres Rut/Roh?

I thought that was what Scoobie Doo said when things go wrong...