Yolo County Municipal Code Art. 20 Miscellaneous Requirements

The following miscellaneous provisions on the operation of units within Yolo County apply with respect to any permit:

(a) No county, city or other political subdivision within Yolo County may operate a service in violation of this chapter.

(b) Personnel records of all certified or licensed personnel are confidential and may only be made available to the person who is the subject of the records and the LEMSA.

(c) A registered nurse employed by a permittee is subject to this chapter. Any violation of this chapter by a registered nurse may result in investigation by the LEMSA and/or a referral to the California State Board of Registered Nurses.

(d) It is the responsibility of the permittee who is employer of record to forward any notice issued under this chapter to any of the permittee's employees, if the notice is undeliverable to the employee's address of record, it will be provided to the employee at his or her next work shift.

(e) Medical transport vehicles shall carry portable oxygen to supplement patients whose own oxygen supply may run out and shall also carry a first aid kit approved by the LEMSA.

(f) Public entity services shall demonstrate availability of mutual and/or automatic aid agreements, with adjacent ambulance service areas, which ensure dispatch of the nearest appropriate ambulance. Mutual and/or automatic aid agreements must be reviewed and filed with the LEMSA.

(g) Commercial services shall participate with adjacent ambulance service areas in mutual aid agreements which are developed and approved by the LEMSA. (§ 1, Ord. 1515, eff. December 19, 2019)

Permittees providing special event standby coverage shall comply with the county's special event requirements set forth in policy and complete an EMS Special Event Notification form. This form shall be submitted to the county for approval at least seven (7) days prior to the beginning of the coverage. Non-county approved transport providers shall pay a special event non-emergency ambulance permit fee. The county may impose conditions on the approval of the request, which are necessary to ensure the safety of the public, including, but not limited to, notification of the local public safety jurisdiction, county communications, and appropriate emergency or 9-1-1 first responder providers. This provision shall help to ensure that adequate and integrated emergency medical services are available to the public and event participants. Any unauthorized standby service provided by a private EMS service may result in a fine, permit suspension or revocation. (§ 1, Ord. 1515, eff. December 19, 2019)

(a) The permittee shall submit their service charges and rates to the county with their application for a Certificate of Operation with each renewal. Any change to the service charges and rates must be reported to the county at least fifteen (15) days prior to such changes.

(b) All service charges and rates must be defined in sufficient detail so as to be understandable to the public. A list of all ambulance rates will be posted on the county website for public viewing. At least annually, the county will notify local healthcare providers, including hospitals and long-term care facilities of current ambulance rates.

(c) The county reserves the option, with Board approval, to set maximum allowable rates for ambulance services.

(d) The Board may adopt procedures for reviewing and regulating ambulance rates in the County. If regulated, permittees shall not charge more than the rates adopted by the Board.

(1) If regulated, the schedule of rates may be adjusted by the Board upon receipt of a request from a permittee. The Board shall hold a public hearing regarding the requested rate increase.

(2) A rate change approved by the Board, as applicable, shall be effective on the date of approval.

(e) Proposed special rates or proposed changes in such rates shall be submitted to the LEMSA.

(f) Current rate categories and charges shall be posted at each permittee's place of business.

(g) This section shall not apply to agencies whose rates are set by public hearing procedure. (§ 1, Ord. 1515, eff. December 19, 2019)

(a) Each ambulance provider participating in the transfer of patients with an ambulance will conform to all laws, rules and regulations set forth in the California Health and Safety Code and LEMSA policies applicable to inter-facility transfer of patients, and pursuant to any formal transfer agreements between transferring and receiving facilities involved.

(b) Transport performed by an ambulance for the patient in transport shall be provided with appropriate medical care, including personnel and equipment, according to the California Health and Safety Code and applicable LEMSA policies. (§ 1, Ord. 1515, eff. December 19, 2019)

(a) In the event of a disaster or mass-casualty incident, the ability of the emergency ALS ambulance providers to provide necessary prehospital emergency ambulance care and transportation may be disrupted or be inadequate for the number of casualties. It is expected that permittees assist the county by providing additional ambulances. In the event of a disaster or mass-casualty incident, the county will determine the amount of assistance needed. The county will contact each permitted service to determine availability of ambulances and may request the permittee to dispatch available ambulances to the county to aid in the disaster or mass-casualty incident. The county shall coordinate all medical mutual aid requests through the county Centralized Emergency Medical Dispatch, the medical mutual aid system, and the county Public Health Officer when applicable.

(b) Permittees shall have on file with the county its disaster response plan which includes a personnel call-back plan and continuity of operations plan.

(c) All management and field personnel of the permittee shall follow the county's Multi Casualty Incident (MCI) Plan during an MCI.

(d) The county may assist the permittee in seeking reimbursement for its costs from any disaster relief monies. The county shall have no financial responsibility for these costs or charges.

(e) When requested by the county (via a minimum ninety (90) day notice), every permittee shall participate in a county organized disaster exercise by sending one fully staffed ambulance. All costs associated with their participation in the disaster exercise shall be the sole responsibility of the permittee.

(f) Each permittee shall make ambulances available to the County during times of disaster or large-scale system emergencies in accordance with the Yolo County MCI Plan. Ambulances shall report to a county designated dispatch center via radio for direction. The designated dispatch center shall coordinate all dispatch functions for said ambulances during the event. All ambulances shall remain under the control of the County until released.

(g) All management and field personnel of each permittee shall follow the guidelines and directions of the Yolo County MCI Plan during the event.

(h) At least once a year, each permittee shall participate in a county-organized disaster exercise. (§ 1, Ord. 1515, eff. December 19, 2019)