While transporting a patient in situations where reasonable grounds exist to believe that a life threatening or potentially life threatening situation is present, emergency medical technicians may park irrespective of the otherwise applicable provisions of law, ordinance or regulations, and proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign, but only after slowing down or stopping as may be necessary for safe operation. No ambulance shall exceed the lawful speed, but the emergency medical technician may disregard laws or ordinances or regulations governing direction of movement or turning in specified directions, when such activity is specifically provided for in State of Illinois guidelines.
The exemptions herein granted shall apply only when the emergency medical technician, while in motion, sounds an audible signal by siren as may be reasonably necessary and when the vehicle is equipped with lights and markings, as required by federal and state specifications for ambulance vehicles.
The foregoing provisions shall not relieve emergency medical technicians from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons, nor shall such provisions protect the emergency medical technicians from the consequences of reckless disregard for the safety of others.
No private or public ambulance shall operate in the city without at least two attendants who are duly licensed by the State of Illinois as emergency medical technicians, professional nurses, or physicians.
(Added Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 7-30-97, p. 50612)