San Benito County supervisors Tuesday unanimously approved a one-year extension on a contract for ambulance services with American Medical Response.
The current five-year agreement expires in July, while the one-year extension is mean to allow the county to continue working on another longer-term, five-year deal. The board unanimously approved the extension.
A big reason for the delay on a five-year deal is a nationwide paramedic shortage, according to officials.
Currently, the county staffs two ambulances 24 hours a day all year, with a “quick-response vehicle” – a small SUV with one paramedic – on the weekends. For the long-term deal, the county hopes to add a third ambulance half of the week.
