For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
AMBULANCE. Any publicly or privately owned vehicle that is specially designed, constructed, or modified and equipped, and is intended to be used for, and is maintained or operated for, the transportation upon the streets and highways in this state of persons who are sick, injured, wounded, or otherwise incapacitated or helpless.
AMBULANCE ATTENDANT. The individual who is responsible for the operation of an ambulance and rendering assistance to the emergency medical technician during the transportation of a patient.
AMBULANCE PROVIDER. An individual, firm, corporation, association, or enterprise, licensed by the state, who engages in the business or service of transporting patients in an ambulance.
APPROVED. Approved by the state medical care commission pursuant to the latter’s rules and regulations promulgated under G.S. § 143B-165.
CONTRACTED EMS AGENCY. A municipal or county agency or private, nonprofit organization which contracts with the county to provide emergency medical services as part of the county EMS system.
EMERGENCY and EMERGENCY TRANSPORTATION SERVICE. The use of an ambulance, its equipment and personnel to provide medical care and transportation of a patient who is in need of immediate medical treatment in order to prevent loss of life or further aggravation of physiological or psychological illness or injury.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL DISPATCH. The approved program with procedures established for the management and delivery of emergency medical assistance by a public or private agency that sends emergency medical.
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 service.
FRANCHISE. A permit issued by the county to a person or organization for the operation of an ambulance service within a specific geographic area of the county.
FRANCHISEE. A person or organization who has been issued a franchise by the county for operating as an ambulance provider.
LICENSE. Any driver’s license or permit to operate a motor vehicle issued under or granted by the laws of the state.
MEDICAL RESPONDER. An individual who has completed a training program in emergency medical care and first aid approved by the State Department of Health and Human Services and has been certified as a medical responder by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Emergency Medical Services.
NON-EMERGENCY TRANSPORTATION SERVICE. The operation of an ambulance for any purpose other than an emergency.
OPERATOR. A person in actual physical control of an ambulance which is in motion or which has the engine running.
OWNER. Any person or entity who owns an ambulance service.
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.
RESCUE. Situations where the victim cannot escape an area through the normal exit or under his or her own power.
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 an ambulance and additional medical aid arrives.
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.
SPECIALTY CARE TRANSPORT. The inter-facility transportation of a critically injured or ill beneficiary by a ground ambulance, including the provision of medically necessary supplies and services, at a level of service beyond the scope of the EMT-paramedic.
TELECOMMUNICATOR. A person who is available at all times to receive request for emergency services, to dispatch emergency services, and to advise local law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and emergency medical facilities of any existing or threatened emergency.
(Ord. passed 7-6-1999; Ord. 2022-16, passed 6-20-2022)