Clackamas County Commissioners vote to make offer to extend AMR ambulance contract by one year

Clackamas County Commissioners voted 3-2 Tuesday to offer American Medical Response (AMR) a one-year extension to the existing ambulance contract. The decision is contingent on AMR agreeing to the extension. The county is in the final weeks of an extension that expires April 30.

The motion to offer a one-year extension was supported by Chair John Ludlow and Commissioners Jim Bernard and Tootie Smith. Commissioners Paul Savas and Martha Schrader opposed a short-term extension and pushed for longer-term extensions.

Commissioners supporting the one-year extension said the additional time can be used to find innovations and cost saving measures that will benefit the county and ambulance consumers. Commissioners who opposed the one-year extension said one-year was not sufficient time to achieve those objectives.

AMR has filed a tort claim against the county in response to a vote by Commissioners earlier this month to reject to its proposal for a new contract. The tort claim is demanding that the county agree to at least a four year extension.

AMR has pledged to continue providing ambulance service for Clackamas County regardless of the present circumstances. Commissioners praised the efforts of first-responders and the services they provide.

For more information please contact Tim Heider, (503) 742-5911 or theider@co.clackamas.or.us