For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
9-1-1 AMBULANCE SERVICE. An ambulance service that provides advanced life support (ALS) and is contracted by the Agency to provide 9-1-1 emergency ambulance service.
9-1-1 EMERGENCY CALL. A 9-1-1 request for an ambulance to transport or assist persons in apparent sudden need of medical attention; or an ambulance transport that is initially classified as a non-emergency call that becomes a 9-1-1 EMERGENCY CALL due to a change in the patient’s medical condition; or a medical emergency, as determined by a physician, to transport blood, or any therapeutic device, accessory to such device, or tissue or organ for transplant.
ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT or ALS. Special services designed to provide definitive prehospital emergency medical care, including, but not limited to, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, cardiac monitoring, cardiac defibrillation, advanced airway management, intravenous therapy, administration of specified drugs and other medicinal preparations, and other specified techniques and procedures administered by authorized personnel under the direct supervision of a base hospital as part of a local EMS system at the scene of an emergency, during transport to an acute care hospital, during interfacility transfer, and while in the emergency department of an acute care hospital until responsibility is assumed by the emergency or other medical staff of that hospital.
AGENCY. The San Benito County Emergency Medical Services Agency.
ALS AMBULANCE SERVICE. The service performed due to the patient’s medical condition that requires paramedic level care. This service may be performed in response to:
(1) Contracted 9-1-1 ambulance service;
(2) Interfacility transfer services; or
(3) Transportation of a patient, regardless of a presumption of death of the patient, or transportation of a body for the purpose of making an anatomical gift, as provided in Cal. Vehicle Code § 12811, and the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, Cal. Health and Safety Code §§ 7150 et seq.
AMBULANCE. A ground transportation vehicle certified by the California Highway Patrol that is specially constructed, modified or equipped and used for the purpose of transporting sick, injured, convalescent, infirm, or otherwise incapacitated persons and staffed with no less than two EMTs. The specifications of this chapter also apply to air ambulance and Gurney or wheelchair van where appropriate.
AMBULANCE PERMIT. The document and/or decal issued by the Agency for each vehicle conforming to the requirements of these regulations, which is owned or controlled by a person holding a certificate of operation.
AMBULANCE PROVIDER. A person, firm, partnership, corporation or other organization, which furnishes or offers to furnish ambulance service.
AMBULANCE SERVICE. The activity, business or service, for hire, profit or otherwise, of transporting one or more persons by an ambulance or air ambulance on, in, or from any of the streets, roads, highways, alleys, or any public way or place in this county.
AIR AMBULANCE. Any aircraft specially constructed, modified or equipped, and used for the primary purposes of responding to emergency calls and transporting critically ill or injured patients whose medical flight crew has at a minimum two attendants certified or licensed in advanced life support.
BASIC LIFE SUPPORT or BLS. Emergency first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedures which, as a minimum, include recognizing respiratory and cardiac arrest and starting the proper application of cardiopulmonary resuscitation to maintain life without invasive techniques until the victim may be transported or until advanced life support is available.
BOARD. The Board of Supervisor of the County of San Benito.
CERTIFICATE OF OPERATION. Written authorization from the Agency to operate ALS and BLS ambulances, air ambulances, or Gurney and wheelchair vans in San Benito County.
CITIES. All incorporated cities within the County of San Benito.
COUNTY. County of San Benito, California.
COUNTY POLICIES. The policies and regulations as defined in the Agency’s Policy, Procedure & Field Treatment Guidelines.
CRITICAL CARE TRANSPORT or CCT. Any emergency or non-emergency transport of a patient where the skill level required in the care of that patient during transport requires, or may require, care within the CCT-paramedic or CCT-registered nurse scope of practice.
CRITICAL CARE TRANSPORT POLICIES. The policies and regulations as defined in the Agency’s Policy, Procedure & Field Treatment Guidelines.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN or EMT. An individual trained and certified in basic life support care in accordance with the provisions contained in the California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 9, Chapter 2 et seq.
EXCLUSIVE OPERATING AREA or EOA. An EMS area or sub area as defined by the Agency, which restricts operations to one or more ambulance providers.
GURNEY VAN TRANSPORT. Any vehicle specially constructed, modified or equipped and/or used for the purpose of transporting patients who cannot travel in an upright, sitting position and for whom the need for any medical care, treatment or procedure is not required, likely, or foreseeable.
NON-EMERGENCY CALL. A request for an ambulance to transport or assist persons that would not constitute a 9-1-1 emergency call.
PARAMEDIC. An individual trained and licensed in advanced life support care in accordance with the provisions contained in the California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 9, Chapter 4 et seq. and accredited by the Agency.
PERMITTEE. A person, firm, partnership, corporation or other organization to whom a certificate of operation and ambulance permit(s) have been issued for purposes of operating an ambulance service.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT or PPE. The minimum equipment, supplies, and personal protective equipment - per responder - to ensure safety and readiness.
QUICK RESPONSE VEHICLE or QRV. A unit staffed with at least one EMT with BLS equipment, or at least one California State licensed and San Benito County accredited paramedic with ALS equipment capable of providing care at scenes of medical emergencies or being utilized for community paramedicine and/or mobile integrated healthcare programs, whether or not the vehicle is capable of transporting patients.
SPECIAL EVENT. A designated event, including, but not limited to street fairs, concerts, sporting events, contests, or other events that place a grouping or gathering of people in one general locale sufficient in number, or subject to activity that creates the need to have one or more ambulances pre-positioned at the event.
WHEELCHAIR VAN TRANSPORT. Any vehicle specially constructed, modified or equipped and/or used for the purpose of transporting patients in wheelchairs for whom the need for any medical care, treatment or procedure is not required, likely, or foreseeable.
(Ord. 923, § 2 (part), 2014)