SEC. 15D-9.33. DECALS.

   (a)   A licensee shall obtain from the director a decal indicating a private ambulance’s authority to operate in the city. The decal must be attached to each vehicle in a manner and location approved by the director.

   (b)   The director may cause a decal to be removed from a private ambulance that at any time fails to meet the minimum standards for appearance, condition, age, or equipment. The fee for reissuance of a decal to a private ambulance from which a decal has been removed by the director is $10. The fee for a duplicate decal for one lost, destroyed, or mutilated, is $5.

   (c)   A person commits an offense if he:

      (1)   operates a private ambulance in the city with an expired decal or with no decal affixed to it; or

      (2)   attaches a decal to a vehicle not authorized to operate as a private ambulance in the city. (Ord. 21861)

Division 8. Enforcement.

SEC. 15D-9.34. AUTHORITY TO INSPECT.

   The director, the fire chief, or a peace officer may inspect a private ambulance service operating in the city to determine whether the service complies with this article, rules and regulations established by the director under this article, and other applicable law. (Ord. 21861)

SEC. 15D-9.35. ENFORCEMENT BY POLICE DEPARTMENT.

   Officers of the police department shall assist in the enforcement of this article. A police officer, upon observing a violation of this article or the rules and regulations established by the director under this article, shall take necessary enforcement action to insure effective regulation of private ambulance service. (Ord. 21861)

SEC. 15D-9.36. CORRECTION ORDER.

   (a)   If the director determines that a licensee is in violation of the terms of the license, this article, the rules and regulations established by the director under this article, a lawful order of the director, or other applicable law, the director may notify the licensee in writing of the violation and by written order direct the licensee to correct the violation within a reasonable period of time. In setting the time for correction, the director shall consider the degree of danger to the public health or safety and the nature of the violation. If the violation involves equipment that is unsafe or functioning improperly, the director shall order the licensee to immediately cease use of the equipment.

   (b)   If the director determines that a violation is an imminent and serious threat to the public health or safety, the director shall order the licensee to correct the violation immediately. If the licensee fails to comply, the director shall promptly take or cause to be taken any action he considers necessary to the immediate enforcement of the order.

   (c)   The director shall include in a notice issued under this section:

      (1)   an identification of the violation;

      (2)   the date of issuance of the notice;

      (3)   the time period within which the violation must be corrected;

      (4)   a warning that failure to comply with the order may result in suspension or revocation of the license, imposition of a fine, or both; and

      (5)   a statement indicating that the order may be appealed to the city manager. (Ord. 21861)

SEC. 15D-9.37. SERVICE OF NOTICE.

   (a)   A private ambulance service licensee shall designate and maintain a representative to:

      (1)   receive service of notice required under this article to be given a licensee; and

      (2)   serve notice required under this article to be given an ambulance personnel permittee employed by a licensee.

   (b)   Notice required under this article to be given:

      (1)   a licensee must be personally served by the director on the licensee or the licensee’s designated representative or served by certified United States mail, five-day return receipt requested, to the address last known to the director of the person to be notified, or to the designated representative of the licensee;

      (2)   a permittee must be personally served by the director or served by certified United States mail, five-day return receipt requested, to the address last known to the director of the person to be notified, or to the designated representative for the permittee; or

      (3)   a person other than a permittee or a licensee under this article may be served in the manner prescribed by Subsection (b)(2) of this section.

   (c)   Service executed in accordance with this section constitutes notice to the person to whom the notice is addressed. The date of service for a notice that is mailed is the date of receipt. (Ord. 21861)

SEC. 15D-9.38. APPEAL.

   (a)   A licensee may appeal a correction order issued under Section 15D-9.36 if an appeal is requested in writing not more than 10 days after notice of the order or action is received.

   (b)   The city manager or the city manager’s designated representative shall act as the appeal hearing officer in an appeal hearing under this section. The hearing officer shall give the appealing party an opportunity to present evidence and make argument. The formal rules of evidence do not apply to an appeal hearing under this section, and the hearing officer shall make a ruling on the basis of a preponderance of evidence presented at the hearing.

   (c)   The hearing officer may affirm, modify, or reverse all or a part of the order of the director. The decision of the hearing officer is final. (Ord. 21861)