Rialto Municipal Code Ch. 7.04 Fire Department Medical Services Program

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 1528, § 1, adopted May 28, 2013, amended Chapter 7.04 in its entirety to read as herein set out. Former Chapter 7.04, §§ 7.04.010—7.04.120, pertained to ambulance service, and derived from Ord. No. 981, 1986 and Ord. No. 1218, 1994.

The purpose of the fire department medical services program is to preserve life and reduce suffering by providing timely access to excellent emergency and non-emergency medical care to the community members and visitors of Rialto.

(Ord. No. 1528, § 1, 5-28-13)

A. The city of Rialto is authorized to provide medical care and ambulance transportation services in accordance with California Health and Safety Code Section 1797.201. Providing these services offers a distinct benefit to the community as it allows for improved continuity of care and local oversight for certain elements of medical service delivery.

B. The city of Rialto reserves the exclusive right to determine the method by which fire department medical services will be provided within its jurisdictional boundaries.

(Ord. No. 1528, § 1, 5-28-13)

"Ambulance" means a medical transportation vehicle constructed, modified, equipped, designed, staffed, and operated for treating and/or transporting sick, injured, convalescing, infirm, or otherwise medically incapacitated persons in need of medical transportation.

"Non-transporting medical unit" means a response vehicle constructed, modified, equipped, staffed, and operated for facilitating medical care to sick, injured, convalescing, infirm, or otherwise medically incapacitated persons in need of medical care.

(Ord. No. 1528, § 1, 5-28-13)

The scope of the fire department medical services program shall include the following:

A. Delivery of emergency and non-emergency medical assessment and subsequent care and treatment as medically indicated within the authorized scope of practice of fire department personnel.

B. Medical transportation as indicated by a patient's condition and in accordance with applicable laws and ordinances.

(Ord. No. 1528, § 1, 5-28-13)

Ambulances and non-transporting medical units shall be staffed by fire department personnel.

(Ord. No. 1528, § 1, 5-28-13)

The city council, by resolution, shall adopt a fee schedule for the use of ambulances, non-transporting medical units, and any other specific services that are provided as part of the city's fire department medical services program. Fees charged for these services shall not exceed the actual cost of providing the services.

(Ord. No. 1528, § 1, 5-28-13)

A. The purpose of the fire department medical services membership program is to give residents who receive medical services by Rialto's fire department an opportunity, by paying a modest membership fee, to avoid substantially higher costs which would be incurred should they require pre-hospital medical services during the term of their membership.

B. The city council, by resolution, shall adopt a fee for the fire department medical services membership program, together with any rules and regulations applicable thereto which the council may deem necessary or desirable.

C. Each household will have the opportunity to join the fire department medical services membership program.

1. Households receiving a utility bill from the city or its designated contractor will be given the opportunity to automatically enroll in the medical services membership program and may terminate at any time. Incremental payments through utility billing must remain current or membership is dropped.

2. Households not receiving a utility bill may enroll directly with the fire department and make arrangements to pay the annual membership fee.

(Ord. No. 1528, § 1, 5-28-13)