Coversheet

ITEM 14.
Public Safety - Consent


AGENDA ITEM REPORT

DATE:	February 16, 2021
DEPARTMENT:	Public Safety
REQUESTER:	Benjamin Abes
TITLE:	Renew Lehigh Acres Fire District Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity

MOTION REQUESTED

A) Find that the issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (COPCN) to Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District satisfies the standards set forth in Lee County Ordinance 08-16.

B) Approve renewal of a COPCN to Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District to conduct advance life support (ALS) transport service and emergency medical care.

C) Authorize Chair to execute the COPCN Certificate.

II.

ITEM SUMMARY

The Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District submitted an application for renewal of their COPCN to provide advance life support (ALS) transport services. Approval provides the District with the necessary COPCN to satisfy the statutory requirements applicable to their State transport license. Granting of the COPCN will allow the District to continue operating as an ALS transport service provider in accordance with State law for two additional years.

III.

BACKGROUND AND IMPLICATIONS OF ACTION

	A)	Board Action and Other History
		Florida EMS providers are required to obtain an ambulance transport service license from the Florida Department of Health. Under Florida Statute 401.25(2)(d), Lehigh Acres Fire Control & Rescue District, as the applicant, must obtain a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (COPCN) to satisfy requirements for renewal of the license. Board approval will provide evidence of compliance with this statutory requirement and allow the District to renew their license.

	B)	Policy Issues

	C)	BoCC Goals

	D)	Analysis
		County staff has reviewed the application according to the current county ordinance provisions and recommends granting the certificate. The District was previously limited to a single-year renewal as the construction of a sixth fire station and financial strategies were remedied. The District's new assessment methodology was approved in August, and funding to support improvements is now available. The District's Board is actively pursuing these strategies, including Basic Life Support Ambulance deployment in early 2021. The provider's license with the Florida Department of Health is currently active and clear of any investigation activity during the most recent renewal period. The staff recommendation is to approve the renewal.

	E)	Options

IV.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

A)	Current year dollar amount of item:	No funding required.
B)	Is this item approved in the current budget?	N/A
C)	Is this a revenue or expense item?	N/A
D)	Is this Discretionary or Mandatory?	N/A
E)	Will this item impact future budgets? If yes, please include reasons in III(D) above.	No
F)	Fund: Program: Project: Account Strings:
G)	Fund Type?	N/A
H)	Comments:

V.	RECOMMENDATION
	Approve

VI.	TIMING/IMPLEMENTATION

VII.	FOLLOW UP

ATTACHMENTS:
Description	Upload Date	Type
LAFD COPCN App 21-23	1/20/2021	Backup Material
Compliance with Standards Form 2021-2023	1/20/2021	Backup Material
COPCN Certificate for transport LAFD 21-23	1/20/2021	Backup Material
Correspondence from Lehigh Acres Fire Rescue	1/28/2021	Letter

REVIEWERS:
Department	Reviewer	Action	Date
Public Safety	Abes, Benajamin	Approved	2/3/2021 - 9:13 AM
Budget Services	Henkel, Anne	Approved	2/4/2021 - 12:30 PM
Budget Services	Winton, Peter	Approved	2/4/2021 - 2:14 PM
County Attorney	Fraser, Andrea	Approved	2/4/2021 - 3:06 PM
County Manager	Brady, Christine	Approved	2/5/2021 - 8:56 AM