San Dimas : Medic-1 Files Claim

Medic-1 Enterprises Inc. of San Dimas has filed a $5-million claim against the county, accusing it of reneging on an agreement authorizing Medic-1 to provide emergency ambulance service in San Dimas.

The claim notes that Medic-1 twice won bidding competitions. In 1988, the San Dimas City Council solicited bids and selected Medic-1 to respond to 911 ambulance calls, but the county stopped the city from putting the contract into effect, citing a 1986 court decision giving the county responsibility for ambulance contracts.

The county solicited new bids. Medic-1 again emerged first in the bidding process. But shortly before the proposed three-year contract was to go into effect in February of this year, county officials withdrew the contract and decided to incorporate San Dimas into a large ambulance zone with other cities. The ambulance zone contract has not yet been awarded.

The claim filed by Medic-1 estimates damages at $5 million, based on loss of income, harm to the company’s reputation, disruption of business operations and other costs.