Imperial County Municipal Code Ch. 8.08 Ambulance Permits

The Imperial County Board of Supervisors finds the following:

A. The County of Imperial has established an emergency medical system pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 1797.200, et seq. and is required to ensure that the emergency medical system contains an organized pattern of readiness and response services.

B. The use of public and private agreements and operational procedures as provided for in Health and Safety Code section 1797.204 will assist the County of Imperial in achieving the required organized pattern of readiness and response services.

C. Operational procedures, including protocols, policies, and guidelines setting forth minimum requirements for the permitting of ambulance service providers will assist in providing the organization and resources required to maintain an emergency medical system that meets the health and safety needs of the citizens of Imperial County.

(Ord. No. 1500, § 1, 10-7-14)

As used in this chapter the following terms are defined as:

A. "Ambulance" means any motor vehicle used to respond to emergency calls that is specifically designed, constructed, modified, equipped, or arranged and operated for the purpose of transporting patients requiring immediate or ongoing medical services.

B. "Ambulance service provider" means any provider of air and ground ambulances, including basic life support, advanced life support and critical care transport vehicles.

C. "Exclusive Operating Area ("EOA")" means an emergency medical services area or subarea defined by the Imperial County emergency medical services plan for which the Imperial County local EMS agency, upon the recommendation of the County of Imperial, restricts operations to one or more emergency ambulance services or providers of limited advanced life support or advanced life support, as defined in Health and Safety Code section 1797.85.

D. "Permit" means an ambulance service provider permit which authorizes persons to provide ambulance services in Imperial County. A permit shall not be valid or be issued unless a current ambulance service provider agreement for the level and type of service to be provided has been executed.

E. "Person" means a natural person, firm, corporation, or other legally recognized entity.

(Ord. No. 1500, § 1, 10-7-14)

A. No person shall furnish, operate, conduct, maintain, or otherwise engage in, or offer, or profess to engage in providing ambulance service in the county unless:

1. The person holds a current ambulance service provider agreement for an EOA; or

2. The person holds a current valid permit in accordance with the Imperial County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) System Plan and Emergency Medical Service protocols, policies, and guidelines.

B. This chapter shall apply to ambulance service providers, except that (1) it shall not apply to ambulance service providers engaged in the transport of patients where the transport initiated outside Imperial County boundaries for transport into the county and (2) Section 8.08.030 shall not apply to air ambulances.

(Ord. No. 1500, § 1, 10-7-14)

Ambulance service providers with an agreement for an EOA operating in Imperial County as of the date of enactment shall be exempt from obtaining a permit until their current ambulance service provider agreement expires, or is terminated by either party.

(Ord. No. 1500, § 1, 10-7-14)

A. The county may, in its discretion, establish one or more EOAs"), as defined in Health and Safety Code section 1797.85, which may be awarded pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 1797.224.

B. Ambulance service providers granted an EOA shall have an ambulance service provider agreement with the county setting forth the terms and conditions of service including the level and type of ambulance services to be provided.

C. No permit shall be issued, and no ambulance service provider shall provide service, that violates an existing exclusivity authorized in an EOA.

(Ord. No. 1500, § 1, 10-7-14)

Nothing in this chapter or in any rule or regulation enacted by the county shall be construed as requiring the county to establish either a competitive or non-competitive EOA.

(Ord. No. 1500, § 1, 10-7-14)

The following civil and criminal penalties shall apply to violations of this chapter:

A. Revocation of the permit; and

B. The general penalty provisions of Chapter 1.16; and

C. Any additional penalties provided under all applicable federal and state laws and regulations.

(Ord. No. 1500, § 1, 10-7-14)