Article 5 — Ambulance Provider Agencies

It shall be unlawful for any person, either as an owner, agent, corporation, joint venturer, partner, associate, or otherwise, to operate, conduct, advertise, charge for, or otherwise engage in or to hold oneself out to be engaged in the business of ambulance (or air rescue) service without having a valid ambulance provider license issued by the County for such service.

(§ 1, Ord. 99-17, eff. September 9, 1998)

Additionally, it shall be unlawful for any person, either as an owner, agent, corporation, joint venturer, partner, associate, or otherwise, to operate, conduct, advertise, charge for, or otherwise engage in or to hold oneself out to be engaged in the business of ambulance (or air rescue) service which is providing enhanced basic life support, limited advanced life support, or advanced life support, without having a valid EMS provider agreement with the local EMS agency.

(§ 1, Ord. 99-17, eff. September 9, 1998)

The provisions of this Article shall not apply to:

(a)

Ambulances operated at the request of local authorities during a "state of war emergency," duly proclaimed "state of emergency," or "local emergency" as defined in the California Emergencies Services Act (Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 8550) of Division 1 of Title 22 of the California Government Code), when it is necessary to fully utilize all available ambulances in an area and it is not possible under such circumstances to have such ambulances operated or attended by persons with the minimal qualifications required by State and local laws and regulations;

(b)

Ambulance service provider agencies which are otherwise legally transporting a patient from a location originating outside the County, regardless of destination;

(c)

Ambulances operated by a Federal agency originating from a Federal Reservation, for purposes of responding to or transporting patients under Federal responsibility;

(d)

Ambulances operated by an ambulance provider agency located outside the County and responding to an instant aid or mutual aid request by an authorized Siskiyou County ambulance provider agency;

(e)

Multipurpose rescue aircraft, such as law enforcement or fire service helicopters, when utilized for emergency medical transportation on a temporary basis. However, consistent with Section 100300 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations, when such agencies base such services in the County and services are offered at an ALS rescue aircraft or BLS rescue aircraft level, the provider agency operating such services shall be licensed pursuant to the requirements of this Chapter;

(f)

In cases where all licensed ambulance providers in the County have declined to provide standby ambulance coverage at a special event or respond to a scheduled ambulance response, ambulance service provider agencies not licensed by the County may, subject to local EMS Agency approval, provide such services;

(g)

In cases where the ambulance provider agency is providing a specialized service, e.g., neonatal transportation, which is not available through a licensed ambulance provider agency.

(§ 1, Ord. 99-17, eff. September 9, 1998)

An existing ambulance provider agency, which does not have a valid provider agency license and which has been providing ambulance services before implementation of this Chapter, may continue to operate in the same manner and scope, provided such operation is otherwise being conducted lawfully, for a period of 180 days after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this Chapter. At or before expiration of this time, such provider agencies must complete all applicable steps to apply for and receive such provider license pursuant to the requirements of this Chapter. The Board, at the request of such provider and/or the Director of Health, may grant such provider agency an extension of up to an additional 180 days in order to complete the necessary licensing provisions of this Chapter. Nothing contained in this Chapter, however, shall require the Board to issue an ambulance provider agency license to any such ambulance provider agency.

(§ 1, Ord. 99-17, eff. September 9, 1998)

The Board may permit an ambulance provider agency temporary authorization for operation based upon the Board's finding of an urgent need to implement such services in order to protect the public's health and

safety. Such temporary authorization shall be valid for a stated period of time not to exceed 180 days from the date of approval thereof and upon such conditions as the Board deems appropriate, or until such provider agency is licensed pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter, whichever is earlier. Such temporary authorization may be extended by the Board for a period up to an additional 180 days, otherwise such temporary authorization shall expire and the service provided by such provider agency shall, without further notice, be terminated.

(§ 1, Ord. 99-17, eff. September 9, 1998)