Subject:
Title
Board Approval: Renewal of Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity (COPCN)
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Fiscal Impact:
None
Dept/Office:
Public Safety Group: Brevard County Fire Rescue
Requested Action:
Recommendation
It is requested that the Board of County Commissioners approve the renewal of the Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity (COPCN) and authorize the Chair to execute the COPCN with Brevard County Fire Rescue (ALS and BLS transport and ALS non-transport), Cape Canaveral Volunteer Fire Department (ALS non-transport), Coastal Health Systems of Brevard, Inc (ALS and BLS transport), Kennedy Space Center (ALS and BLS transport), Canaveral Space Force Station (ALS and BLS transport), City of Palm Bay (ALS non-transport), Health First-Holmes Regional Medical Center, Inc d/b/a First Flight (ALS transport), City of Titusville (ALS non-transport), City of Cocoa (ALS non-transport), City of Cocoa Beach (ALS non-transport), City of Melbourne (ALS non-transport), City of Satellite Beach (ALS non-transport), City of Indialantic (ALS non-transport), and City of Rockledge (ALS non-transport), for the 2026-2028 renewal period.
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Summary Explanation and Background:
Pursuant to the Florida Emergency Medical Services Act, Chapter 401, Florida Statutes, and the implementing regulations contained in Chapter 64J, Florida Administrative Code, any first responder agency providing Advanced Life Support (ALS) response services (non-transport) and any ambulance service providing Advanced Life Support (ALS) or Basic Life Support (BLS) patient transport must possess a valid Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (COPCN). Section 401.25, Florida Statutes, authorizes counties to establish standards and issue COPCNs by ordinance, and Brevard County has implemented this authority through Chapter 42, Article III (Emergency Medical Services), of the Brevard County Code of Ordinances, which establishes the County's emergency medical services system and governs the issuance and renewal of COPCNs.
Consistent with the requirements of Chapter 401, Florida Statutes, Chapter 64J, Florida Administrative Code, and Chapter 42, Article III, of the Brevard County Code of Ordinances, Brevard County Fire Rescue has received timely written renewal requests from the currently authorized COPCN holders. Fire Rescue staff have reviewed each renewal request and determined that the applicants remain in compliance with all applicable statutory, regulatory, and County requirements.
The requested Board action is limited to the renewal of existing Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and is administrative in nature. Approval of these renewals does not authorize any new emergency medical service providers, expand existing service areas, increase the level or scope of authorized services, or modify previously approved operational authority.
Clerk to the Board Instructions:
Return 19 Original, signed certificates to Janine Ernst, Brevard County Fire Rescue Department, 1040 South Florida Avenue, Rockledge, FL 32955.