(A) It shall be the duty of the ambulance authority to oversee and manage the ambulance service system created by this chapter in order to provide quality ambulance service to all residents of and visitors to the city and county, as well as other jurisdictions which may join the ambulance service system.
The economies of scale realized from multijurisdictional operations of the Three Rivers Ambulance Authority are expected to benefit the taxpayers and residents of all political jurisdictions served by the authority; however, in contracting with each political jurisdiction, the Three Rivers Ambulance Authority shall make such financial arrangements as necessary and appropriate to effect a fair sharing of costs and benefits among the various jurisdictions served.
(B) The ambulance authority shall own or be the primary lessee of all emergency equipment used in supplying ambulance services, except equipment utilized by volunteer provider organizations, which may own their own equipment.
(C) (1) Generally, the authority shall determine reasonable rates for its services.
(2) The ambulance authority may permit the operations contractor to collect accounts representing long distance intercity transfer work, but the operations contractor may not engage on any other collection activity. The ambulance authority shall not bill townships under any applicable statutes for any service to an individual.
(3) The ambulance authority shall have the authority to determine its own rates charged for nonemergency ambulance service. Non-emergency rates shall not exceed rates charged in other metropolitan areas for similar services.
(D) (1) The ambulance authority shall assure that appropriate in-service training is provided to employees of the operations contractor by requiring the operations contractor to provide the in-service training program.
(2) The ambulance authority shall require that all employees of the operations contractor attend in-service training programs.
(a) In-service training program shall be attended not less than once every month; each session shall be not less than two hours in duration.
(b) In-service training shall include system orientation and management issues, medical audit findings and review, and clinical skill development.
(c) In-service training shall be scheduled to permit all employees to fulfill their mandatory obligations to attend.
(d) The ambulance authority shall include in its annual report to the Medical Director the extent of the in-service training accomplished. The ambulance authority shall maintain accurate records of attendance at in-service training which shall be provided to the Medical Director for use in considering certificate suspension or revocation and permit renewal.
(e) If a certificate holder fails to attend in-service training during any two-month period, the Medical Director shall inquire of the reasons and may, in his discretion and only for good cause, waive the requirement. In any event, a report of the failure to attend shall be made to the Medical Director by the ambulance authority.
(f) When appropriate, personnel of participating volunteer providers shall be notified in advance and invited to attend in-service training sessions sponsored by the operations contractor.
(E) The ambulance authority shall maintain its records and premises open to inspection by the Medical Director.
(F) The ambulance authority shall provide recommendations to the Medical Director for the following elements of the ambulance service system:
(1) Dispatch communication system.
(2) Medical control communication system.
(3) Any other matter requested by the Medical Director relative to the operation and status of the ambulance service system.
(G) In the event of an emergency in which the public health and safety are threatened by the inadequate performance of an existing operations contractor, or by the absence of qualified bids at reasonable costs for the performance of the required services, the ambulance authority may act as operations contractor for the duration of the emergency but in no event longer than one year.
(H) The ambulance authority may contract for services from neighboring providers. Such contractors shall be subject to medical audits by the EMS Foundation. Consideration for such services may be financial or in kind. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as prohibiting the ambulance authority from receiving or rendering emergency mutual aid without formal agreement.
(I) The duties listed herein are in addition to and supplemental to the duties, functions, and powers granted to the Ambulance Authority pursuant to the Three Rivers Emergency Medical Services Interlocal Cooperative Agreement as amended.
('74 Code, § 9-23) (G-16-82, passed 7-27-82; Am. Ord. G-19-98, passed 5-12-98)