Santa Clara County Municipal Code Art. 3 Permit Requirement

No person, either as owner, agent or otherwise, shall furnish, operate, conduct, maintain or otherwise engage in, or advertise, offer or profess to engage in ambulance service unless he holds (and is entitled to hold) a currently valid ambulance service permit issued by the permit officer for each ambulance owned and operated by a permittee.

Unless exempted, any provider of ALS services must also be a designated contract provider for the County of Santa Clara during the anticipated permit period. ALS ambulance services which (1) are provided by a company for the purpose of responding to the medical needs of the employees at the work site, or (2) are arranged to be performed at a single entertainment event held on a specific date(s) whether public or private, are exempt from this requirement, and may be issued a permit upon payment of the required fee. Such ALS service providers under contract with the County of Santa Clara are deemed to have satisfied the permit requirements of this chapter and shall be deemed to be operating under a valid ALS ambulance permit during the period that services are actually provided to the County, upon payment of the required permit fees.

(Ord. No. NS-300.513, § 2, 2-23-93; Ord. No. NS-300.544, § 1, 12-14-93; Ord. No. NS-300.718, § 1, 5-4-04)

Each application, whether for initial permit or renewal of an ambulance service permit, shall be made on forms and in the manner prescribed by the permit officer.

(Ord. No. NS-300.513, § 2, 2-23-93)

The application for an ambulance service permit shall provide the following information:

(a) The name(s) and address(es) of the applicant(s) and owner(s) of the ambulance(s) and the business entity's name.

(b) The applicant's training and experience in the transportation and care of patients.

(c) The name(s) under which the applicant has engaged, does and proposes to engage in ambulance service.

(d) A description of each ambulance, including the make, model, year of manufacture, vehicle identification (serial) number, state ambulance license number and motor vehicle registration number and expiration date; and for air ambulances; current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) registration number of each aircraft, airworthiness certificate number and expiration date.

(e) The length of time each vehicle has been in use, the miles shown on the odometer, the color scheme, insignia, name(s), monogram and any other distinguishing characteristics of each vehicle.

(f) A description of each company or firm's program for maintenance of each vehicle.

(g) A description of each vehicle's radio communications equipment.

(h) A statement that the applicant has obtained and has all necessary licenses and permits required by federal and state laws and regulations for the type of service proposed.

(i) The names and qualifications of each attendant employed, or to be employed, in providing ambulance service. The applicant shall provide an up-to-date list of attendants on a regular basis to the EMS Agency, as may be required by the permit officer.

(j) Evidence of a currently valid California Highway Patrol inspection report for each ground ambulance vehicle listed in the application.

(k) A description of the applicant's training and orientation programs for ambulance attendants, drivers and for dispatchers.

(l) A description of the applicant's quality management program.

(m) Evidence of such insurance coverage as may be required by the permit officer.

(n) Facts relied on by the applicant in asserting that the public health, safety, welfare, convenience and necessity warrant the granting of the ambulance service permit.

(o) The ability of the applicant to provide ambulance service within established response times for the type of vehicle operated (ground ambulance, aircraft), 24 hours per day, seven days per week, year-round.

(p) All service charges and rate structure of the company and any additional charges incidental to the company's services.

(Ord. No. NS-300.513, § 2, 2-23-93)

Upon receipt of a completed application together with the required fee(s), the permit officer shall make or cause to be made such investigation as deemed necessary to determine if:

(a) Public health, safety, welfare, convenience and necessity require the issuing of a permit;

(b) The applicant is a responsible and proper person to conduct, operate and engage in this ambulance service; and

(c) That the radio(s) in or carried aboard each ambulance is (are) installed pursuant to regulations and policies adopted by the Director of County Communications, and is (are) in good working order.

(Ord. No. NS-300.513, § 2, 2-23-93)