Ruling Could Affect Fire-Ambulance Plan

The California Supreme Court on Monday restricted the ability of local governments to take over ambulance service in a ruling that could have implications in Orange County.

The court ruled that municipal fire departments that did not provide ambulance service in 1980 cannot get into the business unless they win approval from their county Board of Supervisors.

The Orange County Fire Authority is now attempting to assume control of its ambulance service, which is now provided by private companies.

Moreover, in recent years several cities, including Newport Beach and Orange, have assumed control over ambulance services in their jurisdictions.

Officials of private ambulance companies said Monday that the ruling effectively scuttles the Fire Authority’s takeover effort, and also raised questions about the actions of Newport Beach, Orange and other cities.

But Capt. Scott Brown of the Fire Authority said he didn’t think the ruling derails the agency’s proposal.

“It doesn’t preempt us from going into the ambulance business, but it could dictate how we go about doing it,” Brown said. “Our counsel is reviewing this now.”

The Fire Authority’s governing board had postponed action on the proposal until the high court made its ruling, which involved efforts by the city of San Bernardino to take over ambulance service from private operators.

Justices found that San Bernardino officials erred when they decided that the city could control such services without county approval.