Coachella Municipal Code Art. III Operating Requirements

A permittee shall provide emergency service in connection with the class or classes of service specified in its permit on a continuous twenty-four-hour per day basis, except when causes beyond its control relating to acts of God, labor disputes or other similar acts prevent permittee from providing such service. In the event such service is not provided as specified in this chapter, permittee shall cause any advertisement of such services to cease and notify the health officer immediately.

(Prior code § 3½-36)

In addition to the requirements provided in Section 8.16.180 of this chapter, permittee shall notify the health officer immediately, in writing, in the event of any interruption of ambulance service of more than twenty-four (24) hours duration or substantial change in personnel or equipment, which causes the ambulance service to be operated other than as set forth in the permit or as required by the provisions of this chapter.

(Prior code § 3½-37)

A permittee shall during the term of its permit:

A. Procure and maintain workers compensation insurance as prescribed by the laws of the state of California.

B. Procure and maintain comprehensive bodily injury liability, and property damage liability insurance as shall protect permittee from claims for damages for personal injury, including accidental and wrongful death, as well as from claims for property damage, which may arise from the operation of the permittee's ambulance services. Such insurance shall name the city as an additional insured with respect to the operation of such services. Such insurance shall provide combined coverage limits of not less than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000.00) per occurrence; provided, however, such limits shall not be deemed as a limitation of the indemnification and hold free and harmless statement contained in the permittee's application referred to in Section 8.16.060(L) of this chapter, and in the event the city becomes liable for an amount in excess of such insurance coverage, the permittee shall indemnify and hold the city free and harmless for the whole thereof.

C. The permittee shall furnish the city with policies or certificates of insurance to demonstrate that the permittee has procured such insurance and that the city is named as an additional insured with respect to the operation of the permittee's ambulance services. Such policies or certificates of insurance shall contain the covenant of the insurance carrier that thirty (30) days' written notice shall be given to the city prior to cancellation, modification or reduction in coverage of such insurance.

(Prior code § 3½-38)

Each permittee shall establish and maintain radio contact as prescribed in the city communications manual. No permittee shall allow an ambulance to be operated in service unless it is equipped with a two-way (VHF) radio which is compatible with and equivalent to the city emergency medical network as determined by the city manager.

(Prior code § 3½-39)

A. Subject to the provisions of Section 8.16.180 of this chapter, a permittee shall notify the health officer, in writing, of any changes relating to the ambulances specified in its permit. Such modification shall include descriptions and ambulance inspection reports as specified in Section 8.16.060(G) and any other information pertaining to such changes.

B. A permittee shall notify the health officer, in writing, of any changes relating to its personnel. Such notification shall include descriptions and copies of certificate or licenses as specified in Section 8.16.060(I) and any other information pertaining to such changes.

(Prior code § 3½-40)

A permittee shall:

A. Maintain its ambulances in good mechanical repair and in a clean and sanitary condition.

B. Equip its ambulances with all the safety and emergency equipment and supplies as required by the vehicle code, the California Administrative Code and the regulations prescribed by the health officers, as the same are now written or hereinafter amended.

C. Protect dressings, bandaging, instruments and other medical supplies used for care and treatment of patients in such a manner so that they are sterile when ready for use. Provisions shall be made to assure autoclaving or resterilization of emergency equipment when required.

(Prior code § 3½-41)

No permittee shall allow an ambulance to be operated in service unless:

A. The driver meets the qualifications and training required by the California Administrative Code, as the same is now written or hereafter amended. The driver shall be trained and competent in the proper use of all the safety and emergency equipment and supplies referred to in Section 8.16.230(B) of this chapter, The driver shall hold a certificate as an emergency medical technician 1A (EMT-1A), unless the permittee has been specifically exempted from this requirement by the state and the city.

B. The driver is accompanied by an attendant, unless the permittee has been specifically exempted from this requirement by the health officer. The ambulance attendant shall be trained and competent in the proper use of all safety and emergency equipment and supplies referred to in Section 8.16.230(B) of this chapter, and shall hold a certificate as an emergency medical technician 1A (EMT-1A). The ambulance attendant shall occupy the patient compartment while transporting any person in apparent need of medical attention.

C. At least one attendant holds a certificate as an MIC paramedic issued by the health officer, if the vehicle is being used as an ALS ambulance.

D. At least one attendant holds a certificate as an EMT II, if the vehicle is being used as a LALS ambulance.

(Prior code § 3½-42)

A. An ambulance driver or ambulance attendant who is a California licensed physician or an MIC nurse certified by the health officer shall be exempt from the emergency medical training requirement set forth in Section 8.16.240 of this chapter.

B. The provisions of Section 8.16.240 shall not apply during any "state of war emergency," duly proclaimed "state of emergency" or "local emergency" as defined in Section 8558 of the Government Code.

(Prior code § 3½-43)

An ambulance service based and properly licensed by the California Highway Patrol outside the unincorporated territory of the city shall be authorized to transport a patient to or through the incorporated territory of the city, but shall not be authorized to transport patients from the incorporated territory of the city, except as prescribed under Sections 8.16.030 and 8.16.040 of this chapter. In order to maintain proper medical support, such ambulance service shall maintain communications with a telemetry base station for medical control in compliance with the regulations prescribed by the health officer.

(Prior code § 3½-44)

Any user of or subscriber to an ambulance service operating within the incorporated area of the city alleging that he or she has received unsatisfactory service may file a written complaint with the health officer setting forth such allegations. The health officer shall notify the ambulance service of such complaint and investigate the matter to determine whether or not there has been a violation of any of the provisions of this chapter. In the event it is determined that there has been such a violation, the health officer shall take appropriate action to ensure compliance as authorized by this chapter.

(Prior code § 3½-45)

The health officer shall prescribe reasonable regulations regulating ambulance service operations, ambulance equipment and ambulance personnel. Any such regulation shall be submitted to the city council for approval before taking effect, and thereafter, filed in the health officer's office and made available for public inspection.

(Prior code § 3½-46)

The health officer shall inspect the records, facilities, ambulances, equipment and methods of operation of each permittee at least annually and whenever such inspections are deemed necessary by the health officer.

(Prior code § 3½-48)

A. Each permittee shall post a current schedule of rates for its ambulance services in a conspicuous place within each of its ambulances and in its office, and furnish one copy to the city clerk.

B. In the event the schedule of rates is changed or modified, the permittee shall deliver a copy of such changes or modifications to the health office and the city clerk forthwith.

(Prior code § 3½-48)