Fallbrook Healthcare District Supports New Ambulance

FALLBROOK, Calif. (Nov. 11, 2016) ---- At its regular meeting of the Board of Directors Wednesday, the Fallbrook Healthcare District and the North County Fire Protection District were pleased to unveil a new ambulance co-funded by both Districts.

The Fallbrook Healthcare District board approved the ambulance funding at a regular board meeting earlier in the year, funding up to half, or $100,000, of the total cost. NCFPD Chief Stephen Abbott, who is also on the healthcare district board, recused himself from that discussion and vote.

The $200,000 customized vehicle will replace an outdated ambulance. NCFPD operates three total ambulances in the Fallbrook, Bonsall, De Luz and Rainbow areas.

“The Fallbrook Healthcare District takes seriously its role in providing quality community health resources to our community,” said Bobbi Palmer, Executive Director of Fallbrook Healthcare District. “We are very pleased to support our partners at the fire district in providing them the very best in medical transportation.”

The closure last year of Fallbrook Hospital, an acute-care facility, has increased ambulatory transportation mileage, straining local transportation resources. The NCFPD operates under an agreement with other nearby ambulance service providers to respond to emergency calls to fill service gaps.

“The Fallbrook Healthcare District intends to continue supporting our fire district to provide our community excellent health services,” Palmer said. “These efforts, in concert with our community health contracts benefiting roughly 22 organizations annually, will increase to match our unique health needs in the coming year.”

A five-year lease purchase for the ambulance is expected to cost NCFPD about $45,000 per year.

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ABOUT FALLBROOK HEALTHCARE DISTRICT

Fallbrook Healthcare District is a special enterprise district providing for community health needs for Fallbrook, Bonsall, De Luz and Rainbow. The roughly $1.6 million collected annually in voter-approved taxes supports nearly $700,000 in full spectrum community health programs and services, including health screenings, preventative treatment and urgent care. Learn more about community health needs provided by the district at www.fallbrookhealth.org.