(A) No person either as owner, agent or otherwise, shall furnish, operate, conduct, maintain, advertise or otherwise be engaged in or profess to be engaged in the business or service of emergency/ non-emergency transportation of patients within Greene County unless the person holds a valid permit issued by the North Carolina Department of Human Resources and has been granted a franchise or contract for the operation of such business or service by the county pursuant to this chapter.
(B) No primary personnel shall drive an ambulance, attend a patient in one or permit one to be operated when transporting a patient within Greene County unless he/she holds a currently valid certificate as a medical responder, emergency medical technician (EMT), advanced emergency medical technician (AEMT) or paramedic issued by the North Carolina Department of Human Resources, Office of Emergency Medical Services. It is recognized that some special circumstances require an ambulance to be driven by a member of a contracted volunteer fire department or other county official in accordance with N.C. General Statutes.
(C) No person under 18 years of age shall be allowed to drive, attend a patient or operate any equipment in conjunction with any ambulance within Greene County unless the ambulance provider holds a valid policy, approved by the county, concerning the limited activities of these members and special provisions that provide insurance coverage for the member, ambulance provider and Greene County.
(D) No franchise shall be required for:
(1) Any owner rendering assistance to a franchised ambulance service in the case of a major catastrophe, mutual aid or emergency with which the services franchised by Greene County are insufficient;
(2) Any owner operated from a location outside of Greene County in order to transport patients who are picked up beyond the limits of Greene County, to facilities located outside Greene County or to pick up patients from within Greene County for transporting to locations outside Greene County;
(3) Any ambulance service sponsored by and/or under operation of the county;
(4) Ambulances owned and operated by an agency of the United States Government; or
(5) Any emergency response agency operating at the time of adoption of this chapter.
(Ord. passed 10-19-20)