MERCED COUNTY, Calif. (KMJ/KFSN) — By the start of the new year, Merced County could have a new ambulance service.
Riggs Ambulance’s contract expires January 1. The county is looking at another provider, but Riggs leadership is hoping they can survive the vote.
Riggs has operated in Merced County for 77 years.
The county recently opened the bidding process for ambulance service, as it does every five years.
In August, the Board of Supervisors voted to give American Medical Response the initial bid.
If the board moves forward with AMR, that would be bad news for Riggs, which only serves Merced County.
“We would cease to exist,” said Mike Swenson, Riggs ambulance operations manager.
Swenson said Riggs employs 150 EMTs and paramedics, and the company covers everything from dispatch to ambulance maintenance.
“Some of those things, if another company were to come in, those could possibly be moved somewhere else,” said Swenson.
During and after the pandemic, Riggs came under scrutiny for response times to emergencies. Swenson said that was due in part to many people leaving the industry, but they’ve worked hard on recruitment in a difficult field.
“In Merced, as soon as that paramedic program started at the college, we were able to make an investment in our EMTs,” said Swenson. “We’ve sent about 20 EMTs, paid for them to go to school so those homegrown folks could be become paramedics and serve in this community.”
Riggs leadership said since March, they’ve stayed in compliance with response times mandated in their contract with the county.
They said the county’s claims of tardiness are misleading because an ambulance is considered late even if they arrive just seconds after the required response time.
On Thursday, a representative from AMR said it was too soon for them to comment, as they’re working through the proposal process.
The county said this process is standard to ensure residents get the best possible service for their tax dollars and that an independent outside firm was brought in to ensure fairness and transparency.
They expect AMR to present a contract for consideration in the coming weeks.
The board of supervisors is set to cast the final vote on October 7.
Riggs is asking the community to show support for the company by writing to the supervisors and showing up to the meeting.
