Chapter 8.16 — AMBULANCES

Article 1. - General Provisions

This chapter shall be known as the ambulance ordinance of the city. (CCCC § 48-2.002)

The purposes of this chapter are to: A. Enact formal policies and regulations for licensing and regulating the operation of ambulances; B. Protect the public from unsafe and unsanitary operation of ambulances; C. Allow for adequate emergency ambulance services and nonemergency ambulance services in all areas of the city; and D. Allow for the orderly and lawful operation of a local emergency medical services system pursuant to the provisions of Health and Safety Code Sections 1797 et seq.

(CCCC § 48-2.004)

A. This chapter shall not apply: 1. To vehicles operated as ambulances and to persons engaged in the ambulance service where ambulance services are rendered at the request of any communications center or at the request of any law enforcement or fire protection agency during any state of war emergency, state of emergency, or local emergency as defined in Government Code Section 8558 or during any period (not over thirty (30) days, but renewable every thirty (30) days) when the Health Officer has determined in writing that adequate emergency ambulance service will not be available from existing permittees; 2. To vehicles operated as ambulances and to persons engaged in the ambulance service where ambulance services are rendered exclusively to patients who become in need of ambulance service while on or in the place of business of the person and where no charge is made for the ambulance services rendered; provided, however, that if the vehicle is going to travel Code 3 or its equivalent, the appropriate communications center shall be so notified of this fact. B. This chapter shall not prevent any peace officer, firefighter or physician licensed to practice medicine in this state, from arranging for the transportation of an individual in need of emergency medical care when no ambulance with an appropriate ambulance service permit is available and such transportation is required immediately for the preservation of life or to avoid substantial impairment of the person to be transported. (CCCC § 48-2.006)

Unless otherwise specifically provided or required by the context the following terms have the meanings set forth in this chapter. "Ambulance" means any privately owned vehicle specifically constructed, modified, equipped or arranged and operated for the transportation of individuals in need of medical care and which operates or may operate Code 3 or its equivalent. The meaning includes, but is not limited to, privately owned ambulances and paramedic units. "Ambulance service" means the activity, business or service, for hire, profit or otherwise, of transporting one or more persons by ambulance on or in any of the streets, roads, highways, alleys or any public way or place in the incorporated areas of this city.

"Attendant" means a trained and/or qualified individual who, regardless of whether he or she also serves as driver, is responsible for the care of ambulance patients and who has met all license and other requirements in applicable state laws and regulations. The term includes EMT I, EMT II, and EMT-P, as those terms are used in Health and Safety Code Sections 1797 et seq. "Chief of Police" means the Chief of Police of this city. "Driver" means an individual who drives an ambulance and who has met all license and other requirements in applicable state laws and regulations. "Emergency response area list(s)" means that list of permittee(s) for each emergency response area who have entered into an ambulance service agreement with the city and who will be contacted by a city communications center in accordance with regulations adopted by the Permit Officer to respond to calls for emergency ambulance services which it receives. Copies of the emergency response area list(s) shall be kept on file in the offices of the Chief of Police and the City Council. "Emergency response areas" means the areas shown on the map entitled "Emergency Response Areas of the city of Orinda" on file in the office of the Chief of Police and the City Council, and as it may be changed from time to time by the Permit Officer pursuant to Section 8.16.310. "Health Officer" means the Health Officer, or other official designated by the City Council to perform the Health Officer's functions under this chapter. "Limited advanced life support" and "advanced life support" have the same meanings as when used in Health and Safety Code Sections 1797 et seq. "Medical director" means the Health Officer, or other person designated pursuant to the preceding definition and Health and Safety Code Section 1797.202. "Permit" means: 1. "Nonemergency ambulance service permit" means written authorization by the county or city to provide nonemergency ambulance service within specified emergency response area(s). 2. "Emergency ambulance service permit" means written authorization by the county or city to provide emergency ambulance service within specified emergency response area(s). "Permit Officer" means the Health Officer. (CCCC §§ 48-4.002 — 48-4.024)