ALEXANDRIA, La. (3/5/2025) – The Rapides Parish ambulance contract selection process is nearing a critical stage as the Police Jury prepares to review proposals submitted by four ambulance providers.
The decision follows months of public meetings, policy revisions, and debate over whether the parish should transition to a sole-provider system or allow multiple providers to operate.
The Ambulance Advisory Committee (AAC) voted unanimously on July 17, 2024, to recommend a single-provider system, citing the need for stricter oversight, improved response times, and stronger compliance measures. The Police Jury formally adopted the revised ambulance ordinances on December 9, 2024, laying the groundwork for a more controlled emergency response framework.
On February 26, 2025, the AAC met with the four providers: Parfod EMS, Acadian Ambulance, Med Express, and AmeriPro—to evaluate their proposals. The scoring results showed a narrow margin between the two top contenders: Parfod EMS earned 1,765 points, while Acadian Ambulance followed closely with 1,751. Med Express and AmeriPro received 1,668 and 1,416 points, respectively. When evaluating first-place votes from committee members, Acadian Ambulance led with seven, while Parfod EMS received six.
Acadian Ambulance’s established presence in Rapides Parish, along with its infrastructure and experience in the region, has made it a strong candidate. However, Parfod EMS’s high overall score signals strong competition for the contract.
Despite the AAC’s recommendation for a sole provider, some officials and residents argue that a multiple-provider model would offer significant benefits, including increased competition, better response times through provider redundancy, and a built-in backup system during high-demand emergencies. Maintaining multiple providers could also prevent service gaps in rural areas and ensure broader coverage.
The Police Jury has not yet set a date for its final decision, but the Rapides Parish ambulance contract selection process has been controversial from the outset. Key concerns include response time reliability, service quality, and whether a competitive ambulance system could better serve the parish. The upcoming Police Jury meeting is expected to be a pivotal moment in determining how emergency medical services will be structured moving forward in Rapides Parish.
Related Article: Upcoming Ambulance Advisory Committee Meeting to Address Key Issues
