The district responds to all emergency medical services requests within the district as part of its governmental function pursuant to title 31, chapter 39, Idaho Code. The district's response shall begin from the time of the EMS request or dispatch until the patient is released from the district's medical care to appropriate medical care, or until such time the patient refuses treatment. District personnel are authorized to provide medical care consistent with the scope of practice approved by the district's medical director as set forth in the district's medical protocols. The district is the sole provider of EMS emergent and nonemergent ambulance transport service within the district boundaries, except as otherwise provided by this article. Nothing in this article prohibits the district, at the sole discretion of the board, from entering into joint powers agreements with other governmental entities for the purpose of providing ambulance services currently provided by the district. (Ord. 03-013, 12-11-2003)