Redding Municipal Code Ch. 6.10 Limited Ambulances

"Limited ambulance" means any medi-car or other privately owned vehicle used for nonemergency transportating of those who are sick or injured. The highest level of service to be offered by any medi-car or other privately owned vehicle used for nonemergency transporting shall be limited to conscious, nonemergency patients. whose care does not require training beyond that received by a certified EMT I. The condition of the person or persons to be transported shall be such that the attending physician's diagnosis is that the person would remain stable for the duration of the transfer. Available medical equipment shall not exceed a sphygmomanometer, stethoscope, first aid kit, and oxygen therapy equipment.

(Ord. 1518 § 1, 1980: prior code § 28-60)

No person shall engage in the business of operating a limited ambulance upon the streets of the city without first obtaining a permit as provided in this chapter.

(Prior code § 28-61)

An applicant for a limited ambulance operator's permit shall file his application with the city clerk, which application shall be signed and verified by the applicant, and accompanied by the fee required and shall set forth the following:

A. Name, business and residence address of the applicant;

B. The fictitious name, if any, under which the applicant does business and proposes to do business;

C. The number, type, age, condition and patient capacity of each limited ambulance proposed to be operated by the applicant, stating the make, year of manufacture and special equipment installed or proposed to be installed in each such limited ambulance;

D. The color scheme, insignia, name, monogram or other distinguishing characteristics to be used to designate the limited ambulance or limited ambulances of the applicant;

E. The schedule of rates proposed to be charged for the limited ambulance service, which shall be subject to the approval of the city council as a condition to the obtainment of an operator's permit;

F. The experience of the applicant in the transportation and care of injured and sick persons.

(Prior code § 28-62)

An application required by this chapter shall be accompanied by a filing fee of fifty dollars, to cover administrative and other costs incident to such application.

(Prior code § 28-63)

Before any application is acted upon by the council, the city manager shall cause the chief of police to make an investigation and shall report his findings, in writing, to the council on the following:

A. The number, kind and type of equipment and the color scheme to be used;

B. The appropriateness of the vehicles proposed to be used for carrying or transporting injured or sick persons;

C. The ability, experience and responsibility of the applicant.

(Prior code § 28-64)

Upon receiving the report of the city manager, the council shall authorize granting the applicant a permit if it finds the following:

A. That the vehicles described in the application and proposed to be used are appropriate for the purpose of carrying or transporting injured or sick persons;

B. That the color scheme, insignia, name, monogram or other distinguishing characteristic proposed to be used upon such limited ambulances is not in conflict with and does not imitate any color scheme, insignia, name, monogram or other distinguishing characteristics used by any other person, in such manner as to mislead or tend to mislead, deceive or defraud the public;

C. That the applicant is fit, willing and able to perform limited ambulance service and to conform to the provisions of this chapter, and such rules and regulations as may be promulgated by the council. In making such findings, the council shall take into consideration the character, experience and responsibility of the applicant;

D. That the public convenience and necessity require additional limited ambulance service to satisfy the needs of the community.

(Prior code § 28-65)

The council, by resolution, may authorize a limited ambulance operator's permit to the person or persons entitled thereto by having complied with the requirements of this title and all the requirements of this chapter having been met, the council in its discretion shall determine the total number of limited ambulances which may be operated under the permit. The permit, when issued, shall state the name and address of the applicant, the number of limited ambulances that may be operated under the permit and the date of issuance thereof. No permit authorized under this chapter shall be issued to any person who shall not have fully complied with all the requirements of this chapter.

(Prior code § 28-66)

Each limited ambulance operator to whom a permit has been issued shall cause an authenticated copy of the permit to be posted on the dashboard of each limited ambulance in a position clearly visible, or in some other area approved by the chief of police.

(Prior code § 28-67)

A. No permit for the operation of a limited ambulance shall be issued, nor shall the permit be valid after issuance, nor shall any limited ambulance be operated, unless there is at all times in force and effect to provide adequate protection against liability for damages which may be or have been imposed for each negligent operation of each such limited ambulance, its driver or attendant, a liability insurance policy or policies approved by the city clerk and issued by an insurance company authorized to do business in the state.

B. The policy or policies shall provide protection against liability of the permittee of a limited ambulance for the payment of damages in amounts, at least, as follows:

1. In the amount of one hundred thousand dollars on account of bodily injuries to, or death of, one person;

2. In the amount of three hundred thousand dollars against the total liability of the licensee on account of bodily injuries to, or death of, more than one person as a result of any one accident;

3. In the amount of twenty-five thousand dollars for one accident resulting in damage or destruction of property, whether the property of one or more than one claimant.

C. A liability insurance policy required by this section shall insure to the benefit of any persons who shall be injured or who shall sustain damage to property proximately caused by the negligence of the permittee insured by such policy, his employees or agents.

D. Satisfactory evidence that the liability insurance required by this section is at all times in full force and effect shall be furnished the city clerk by each permittee required to provide such insurance.

E. The policy of insurance shall contain a provision against cancellation except upon ten days' prior written notice thereof to the city clerk.

(Prior code § 28-68)

A. No permit for the operation of a limited ambulance may be sold, assigned, mortgaged or otherwise transferred without the consent of the council.

B. Application for transfer of any permit for a limited ambulance shall be subject to the same terms, conditions and requirements as in the application for an original permit.

(Prior code § 28-69)

The council may at any time revoke, suspend or change a permit granted the limited ambulance operator after proper notice to and opportunity of hearing given to the owner thereof if he fails to operate a limited ambulance authorized under this chapter in accordance with the provisions of this chapter as now constituted or as they may be hereafter amended.

(Prior code § 28-70)

All permits which have been suspended or revoked by the council shall be surrendered to the chief of police, and the operation of all limited ambulances covered by such permits shall cease, and the continued operation thereof shall thereafter constitute a violation of this chapter.

(Prior code § 28-71)

Except as otherwise provided in accordance with Section 6.10.100, whenever an owner sells or transfers title to a limited ambulance for which a permit has been granted, and within thirty days after the sale or transfer, the owner purchases other limited ambulances, the chief of police, as a matter of right, upon written request of applicant within thirty days of the purchase, shall issue a new permit for the operation of no greater number of limited ambulances than those sold or transferred, provided the owner has complied with all the provisions of this chapter. No replacement limited ambulance shall be put into operation before a permit covering its operation has been obtained as required by this section.

(Prior code § 28-72)

Any owner whose limited ambulance for which a permit has been granted has been destroyed in any manner will, as a matter of right, upon written application to the chief of police within thirty days after such destruction, be issued a new permit for the operation of no greater number of limited ambulances than those so destroyed, provided such owner has complied with all the provisions of this chapter.

(Prior code § 28-73)

Any person holding a permit to operate one or more limited ambulances as provided in this chapter, who desires to add to the number of such vehicles, shall do so only by obtaining a permit therefor from the council, which shall be granted only upon application made in the same manner and under the same proceedings as are required in the instance of obtaining the original permit as required by this chapter.

(Prior code § 28-74)

No driver of any limited ambulance shall accept, take into his vehicle or transport any larger number of passengers than the rated seated capacity of his vehicle.

(Prior code § 28-75)

Any person holding a permit to operate one or more limited ambulances, as provided in this chapter, who desires to substitute a different vehicle for a vehicle operated under such permit, shall do so only upon obtaining from the chief of police permission therefor, which shall be granted only upon written application setting forth the particulars of the proposed substitution and upon otherwise complying with the requirements of this chapter.

(Prior code § 28-76)

Each limited ambulance shall bear a number on the outside of the vehicle at the places and of the type and design prescribed by the chief of police.

(Prior code § 28-77)

Before a permit is issued to any owner, the limited ambulance for which the permit is requested shall be delivered to the office of the chief of police, who shall inspect the limited ambulance and its equipment to ascertain whether the limited ambulance complies with the provisions of this chapter.

(Prior code § 28-78)

The chief of police, or any member of the police department, shall have the right at any time after displaying proper identification, to enter into or upon any certificated limited ambulance for the purpose of ascertaining whether or not any of the provisions of this chapter are being violated.

(Prior code § 28-79)

Each person granted a permit to engage in the business of operating any limited ambulance within the city pursuant to the provisions of the chapter shall maintain detailed records of all receipts and expenditures received and incurred in the operation of the business. The city, its officers and employees shall be entitled to inspect, audit and copy the books and records at all reasonable times.

(Prior code § 28-80)

It is unlawful for any person to drive or operate any of the vehicles mentioned in Section 6.10.010 without first obtaining a permit in writing so to do from the city clerk.

(Prior code § 28-81)

A. Applicants for driver's permits shall file applications therefor with the city clerk, upon blanks to be furnished by the city. Applicants for driver's permits shall pay to the city clerk a fee of five dollars for each application.

B. This permit must be renewed annually on a calendar year basis and each renewal application must be accompanied by the same five dollar permit fee; except, that no such fee shall be charged to drivers, attendants or attendant-drivers who are assigned to and regularly perform the duties for an ambulance licensed to operate in the city and who are licensed as such by the city.

(Prior code § 28-82)

The driver's permit shall be in the form of a card which shall bear the signature, photograph and fingerprints of the applicant. The card shall be issued in duplicate, and one copy, with the fingerprints, photograph and signature of the applicant, shall be placed on file with the chief of police, and the other card shall be carried on the driver's person at all times during which the limited ambulance is operated.

(Prior code § 28-83)

The police department shall conduct an investigation of each applicant for a limited ambulance driver's permit, and a report of the investigation and a copy of the traffic and police record of the applicant, if any, shall be attached to the application.

(Prior code § 28-84)

The city clerk shall, upon consideration of the application and the reports and certificate required to be attached thereto, approve or reject the application. If the application is rejected, the applicant may request a personal appearance before the council to offer evidence why his application should be reconsidered.

(Prior code § 28-85)

No driver's permit shall be issued to any of the following persons:

A. Any person under the age of eighteen years;

B. Any person who has been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude or narcotics;

C. Any person who has been convicted of driving a vehicle recklessly within the two years immediately preceding application for a permit;

D. Any person who has been convicted of driving a vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquors within the five years immediately preceding application for a permit;

E. Any person not possessing at least a valid Class 3 driver's license issued by the state;

F. Any person not possessing an adequate knowledge of first aid.

(Ord. 1284 § 1 (part), 1976: prior code § 28-86)

Each applicant for a driver's permit may be examined as to his knowledge of the provisions of this chapter, traffic regulations and first aid by a person designated by the city clerk. If the result of the examination is unsatisfactory, he shall be refused a permit.

(Prior code § 28-87)

The city clerk may revoke or refuse to renew a driver's permit if the driver or applicant has, since the granting of the permit, done any of the following:

A. Been convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude, pandering, using, possessing, selling or transporting narcotics, or imparting information for obtaining narcotics;

B. Been convicted of driving recklessly or while under the influence of liquors or narcotics;

C. Had his state driver's or Class 2 driver's license revoked or suspended;

D. Had two or more convictions of any of the offenses set forth in the Vehicle Code of the state and amendments thereto relating to speeding violations, or any combination of any of such offenses, occurring during any continuous period not exceeding twelve months;

E. When for any reason, including or other than the above, in the opinion of the chief of police, the applicant is unfit to drive a limited ambulance;

F. Violated any of the provisions of this chapter.

(Prior code § 28-88)

A. It is the duty of the owner of each limited ambulance company to notify the city clerk in writing within five days whenever a driver has either voluntarily or unvoluntarily terminated employment.

B. Each limited ambulance driver shall return his limited ambulance driver's permit to the city clerk within five days after the termination of his employment as a limited ambulance driver.

(Prior code § 28-89)

A. The provisions of this chapter shall be deemed as supplemental to the provisions of any other pertinent laws or ordinances of the city.

B. A permittee under this chapter shall pay annually a license fee as prescribed by Section 6.04.220.

(Prior code § 28-90)

The provisions of this article shall become effective on April 1, 1971, and concurrently therewith City Council Resolution No. 4357 shall be rescinded and of no further force and effect, and any medi-car permits issued under that resolution shall be revoked and cancelled.

(Prior code § 28-91)