(A)
Application forms for an ambulance service certificate of operation shall be supplied by the Agency.
(B) The applicant must be a licensed CHP ambulance service prior to submitting an application.
(C) Required data. Each applicant who desires an ambulance service certificate of operation shall submit the following on, or as attachments with, their application:
(1) The names and addresses of the applicant(s), registered owner(s), partner(s), officer(s), director(s), and controlling shareholder(s), hereafter called "applicant";
(2) The name under which the applicant has engaged, does, or proposes to engage, in ambulance service;
(3) The level(s) of service requested;
(4) A statement specifying whether the applicant has provided services in the county prior to the establishment of this chapter, and if so, what type and for how long;
(5) A statement specifying whether the applicant has previously operated a company outside of the county, and if so, under what name, what type, where, and for how long;
(6) A copy of a current CHP emergency ambulance non-transferable license, if applicable;
(7) An assets and liabilities statement or a letter prepared by a certified public accountant showing proof of financial solvency;
(8) A copy of the business license for the city in which the applicant is doing business;
(9) A statement of the legal history of the applicant, including criminal and civil convictions;
(10) A statement specifying the education, training, and experience in the care and transportation of patients;
(11) A statement that the applicant will abide by the regulations of the California Vehicle Code and the California Code of Regulations, Title 13, Motor Vehicles;
(12) A statement that the applicant owns or has under his control, in good mechanical condition, required equipment to consistently provide service in the area for which they are applying, and that the applicant owns or has access to suitable facilities for maintaining equipment in a clean and sanitary condition;
(13) A statement that the applicant understands and will comply with the county's staffing and equipment and supply specifications policies, or contractual requirements regarding equipment carried for each level of service;
(14) A list of the actual number of vehicles or ambulances and for each: the make and model, year, the vehicle identification number (VIN), state vehicle license number and proof of current Department of Motor Vehicle registration, and proof of California Highway Patrol ambulance inspection report and ambulance identification certificate;
(15) A statement that the applicant understands and will comply with the ambulance inspection process, including the required fees;
(16) A statement that the applicant has or will have sufficient personnel adequately trained and available to deliver service of good quality at all times, including copies of their certifications/licenses;
(17) A statement of the applicant's training and orientation programs for EMTs, and/or paramedics and dispatchers;
(18) A description of the number and type, frequency, and private line codes of the vehicle's radios, and if used, phone numbers of the vehicle's cellular phones;
(19) A description of the company's program for maintenance of the vehicles;
(20) A description and photo/image of the company's logo and color scheme to be used to designate the vehicles or ambulances of the applicant;
(21) The number of vehicles or ambulances to be deployed on each shift;
(22) A description of the locations from which services will be offered, noting the hours of operation and phone numbers;
(23) Evidence of insurance coverage compliance under § 11.09.013;
(24) A certificate of consent to self-insure issued by the California State Director of Industrial Relations, or a certificate of workman's compensation insurance;
(25) A quality improvement program as specified in § 11.09.041;
(26) A disaster response plan as specified in § 11.09.046;
(27) All service charges and rates to be charged, showing compliance with any maximum charges established by the county;
(28) An acknowledgment and promise to pay the application fee for a certificate of operation within ten days of receipt of invoice;
(29) An acknowledgment and promise to pay the inspection fee for each vehicle or ambulance within ten days of receipt of invoice;
(30) If applying for a CCT certificate of operation, copies of all paperwork for inter-facility transport as identified in the Agency CCT policy; and
(31) Any other information the Agency deems necessary for determination of compliance with this division.
(D) Upon submission of an application, an invoice will be mailed to the applicant indicating the certificate of operations fee and the inspection fee for each vehicle or ambulance.
(E) Within 30 days of receipt of a complete application and the required fee, the Agency shall determine divisions (1) through (7) below, or if an extension is necessary:
(1) Whether the applicant is a licensed CHP ambulance service; and
(2) Whether the applicant meets the requirements of this chapter and of other applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations; and
(3) Whether the applicant is able to provide the requested service; and
(4) Whether the applicant has knowingly made a false statement of fact in such application; and
(5) Whether the applicant has knowingly failed to disclose facts pertinent to the application process; and
(6) Whether the applicant was previously a holder of a certificate of operation issued under this chapter, which has been revoked or not renewed based on the provisions of this chapter; and
(F) Approval or denial.
(1) If it is determined that the applicant does not meet all requirements within this section, then the Agency shall deny the application and notify the applicant in writing.
(2) If it is determined that the applicant meets all requirements within this section, the Agency
shall approve the application and issue a certificate of operation, and, upon a positive inspection, appropriate ambulance permits.
(G) Appeal from denial of issuance. Whenever the Agency denies an application, the applicant may request a hearing on the denial at which the applicant will have the burden of proof. The appeal will be made to the Board of Supervisors according to the provisions of § 11.09.011.
(H) Decisions; finality. The decision of the Agency rendered pursuant to this chapter shall be final, unless appealed to the Board of Supervisors within 30 days after such decision is rendered in writing, and notice of the same is given to the applicant.
(I) Term.
(1) Certificates of operation shall be valid for one calendar year beginning on January 1 and ending on December 31.
(2) Certificates of operation shall be continued upon conditions of § 11.09.037 unless earlier suspended, revoked, or terminated for cause.
(3) It is the responsibility of the permittee to maintain current data with the Agency.
(4) Notice of intent to discontinue service. A permittee providing ambulance service may discontinue such services only after providing notice in writing of intent to discontinue services to the Agency or upon mutual written agreement.
(J) Transfer of certificate of operation or ambulance permit. Application for transfer of any permittee's certificate of operation shall be subject to the same terms, conditions, and requirements as if the application were for an original certificate. No ambulance permit shall be transferred to another person(s) or company or corporation, except upon prior approval of the Agency.
(K) Interruption of service. In the event of any actual or anticipated interruption of service, or any actual or anticipated substantial changes in the ambulance services, which cause, or threaten to cause, the ambulance service to be carried out differently than specified in the certificate of operation, the certificate holder shall immediately notify the Agency verbally, to be followed by written notification within three days, stating the facts of the actual or anticipated change.
(L) Temporary or emergency certificates. The Agency may grant a temporary or emergency certificate of operation to insure the public health, safety, or welfare. The temporary or emergency certificate shall remain in effect for the period indicated by the EMS Administrator, but shall not exceed 180 days.
(Ord. 923, § 2 (part), 2014; Ord. 977, § 3, 2019)