Century takes over St. Vincent's ambulance service

Private company takes equipment, fleet; up to 100 employees affected

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Century Ambulance Service is purchasing St. Vincent’s Ambulance Service, the dedicated transport provider for St. Vincent’s HealthCare facilities. But some of the employees affected are worried about their jobs.

St. Vincent's equipment and fleet will become property of Century on Aug. 15, and the company said up to 100 of the hospital's paramedics, emergency medical technicians and wheelchair van drivers will be offered similar positions with Century. 

The employees are not guaranteed jobs with Century.

"This is not just a straight transfer. In effect, all 100 of us were fired. But we won't be getting any severance," one employee wrote in an email to News4Jax. "We have employees who have worked for St. Vincent's for 10, 15, 20 years, and now that was for nothing. They get nothing in return for their work. We are not being automatically transferred to Century. We have to apply to Century and go through their process."

A Century spokesman said they would be honored to have experienced St. Vincent's employees join them, and they will be paid appropriately.

St. Vincent's Health did not comment on the impact of change on its employees.

“St. Vincent’s evaluated its long-term needs of emergency vehicle services and decided partnering with an existing ambulance company whose sole focus is emergency transport had many benefits for our organization and patients," spokesman Kyle Sieg said.

Century will also purchase new vehicles to help service St. Vincent’s and the Northeast Florida community, as the private ambulance service is expecting more shifts and runs.

According to a news release, St. Vincent's has sought an acquisition partner for its ambulance service for some time. Century had an existing relationship with St. Vincent's as a frequent transport provider, and the acquisition should provide a smooth transition.


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