Unless the context otherwise requires, the following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this chapter:
AMBULANCE. Any privately or publicly owned motor vehicle, aircraft, or vessel that is specially designed, constructed, or modified and equipped and is intended to be used for and is maintained or operated for the transportation on the streets or highways, waterways or airways of this state of persons who are sick, injured, wounded, or otherwise incapacitated or helpless.
AMBULANCE PROVIDER. An individual, firm, corporation, or association who engages or professes to engage in the business or service of transporting patients in an ambulance.
APPROVED. Approved by the North Carolina Medical Care Commission pursuant to the latter’s rules and regulations promulgated under G.S. § 143B-165.
CONTRACT. The instrument by which both parties agree to the terms of operation of the service to be provided.
CONVALESCENT TRANSPORTATION SERVICE. The operation of an ambulance for any purpose other than transporting emergency or emergency patients.
COUNCIL. The Chatham County Emergency Medical Services Council.
COUNTY. Chatham County and its Board of Commissioners or their designated representative.
EMERGENCY or EMERGENCY TRANSPORTATION SERVICE. The use of a service, its equipment and personnel to provide medical care, rescue, and/or transportation of a patient who is in need of immediate rescue or medical treatment in order to prevent loss of life or further aggravation or physiological or psychological illness or injury.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN (EMT). An individual who has completed a training program in emergency medical care at least equal to the National Standard Training Program for Emergency Medical Technicians as defined by the United States Department of Transportation and has been certified as an emergency medical technician by the State Office of Emergency Medical Services.
FIRST RESPONDER. An organization with personnel trained in emergency medical care that is dispatched to the scene of a medical emergency for the primary purpose of providing emergency medical assistance to a patient until the ambulance and additional medical aid arrives.
FRANCHISE. A permit issued by the county to a person for the operation of an ambulance service, rescue squad, or first responder unit.
FRANCHISEE. Any person having been issued a franchise by the county for the operation of an ambulance service, rescue squad, or first responder unit.
LICENSE. Any driver’s license or permit to operate a motor vehicle issued under or granted pursuant to the laws of the State of North Carolina.
OPERATOR. A person in actual physical control of an ambulance or rescue service vehicle which is in motion or which has the engine running.
OWNER. Any person or entity who owns an ambulance or provides a service covered by this chapter.
PATIENT. An individual who is sick, injured, wounded, or otherwise incapacitated or helpless such that the need for some medical assistance might be anticipated while being transported to or from a medical facility.
PERSON. Any individual, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company, group of individuals acting together for a common purpose, or organization of any kind, including any governmental agency other than the United States.
RESCUE. Situations where the victim cannot escape an area through the normal exit or under his or her own power.
SECONDARY AMBULANCE PROVIDER. The system of personnel and equipment meeting the same criteria as a primary ambulance provider, but not normally dispatched on first call response.
SERVICE. Shall mean the same as OWNER.
TELECOMMUNICATOR. A person who is available at all times to receive requests for emergency services, to dispatch emergency services, and to advise local law enforcement agencies, fire departments, rescue squads, and emergency medical services and facilities of any existing or threatened emergency.
VICTIM. Any patient or potential patient that is entrapped, entangled, pinned, fallen, suspended, or otherwise in need of rescue services.
(Ord. passed 6-26-1997)