Any licensee/operator who owns or operates a licensed emergency medical service vehicle shall comply with the following regulations, in addition to those set forth in other sections of this chapter.
(a) The emergency medical service vehicle shall have at least one driver and two emergency medical technicians/paramedic when answering emergency calls. The driver, if qualified, may serve as one of the emergency medical technicians except when transporting a patient in need of advanced life support-type treatment, as defined by the medical advisor for that squad and approved by the Commission.
(b) Each emergency medical service vehicle shall pass an inspection for certification for safety and for compliance with state motor vehicle standards by the State Highway Patrol at least once every six months or more often, whatever is required by the State.
(c) After transporting a person suffering a contagious disease, each emergency medical service vehicle shall be decontaminated by a method of accepted hospital decontamination procedures.
(d) Each emergency medical service vehicle shall be kept in a sanitary condition in accordance with regulations, including, but not limited to those set forth in this chapter, and those set by the Safety Director with the advice of the Commission and shall be open to inspection at any reasonable time.
(e) All storage spaces used for storage of linens, disposable sheets, pillow cases or their equivalent; equipment, first-aid supplies and other supplies, at base stations or in emergency medical service vehicles, shall be kept clean. These storage spaces shall be constructed so as to permit thorough cleaning.
(f) The equipment in each emergency medical service vehicle shall be of smooth and easily-cleanable construction.
(g) Freshly laundered linen or disposable sheets and pillow cases will be used in transporting patients and shall be changed after each use.
(h) Adequate and clean storage for linen, disposable sheets, pillow cases and the like, shall be provided in each emergency medical service vehicle.
(i) Pillows and mattresses shall be kept clean and in good repair. Protective covers shall be provided.
(j) Covered containers or compartments shall be provided for soiled supplies.
(k) Exterior surfaces of emergency medical services vehicles shall be cleaned routinely, and as needed.
(l) Blankets used in any emergency medical service vehicles shall be washed at reasonable intervals and as needed.
(m) Implements inserted into a patient's nose or mouth should be wrapped and properly stored and handled. When multiple-use items are used, they shall be sterilized according to accepted hospital procedures after each use.
(n) The emergency medical service vehicle body must be reasonably free from dents and rust.
(o) Oxygen tanks must bear a current static pressure date and must be refilled as soon as possible.
(p) Windows and windshields must be clean and free of cracks.
(q) Rear-view mirrors must be free of cracks.
(r) Operator's vehicles must follow the policies of the Municipality specifying the use of red lights and sirens on personal vehicles of their members and on ambulances while responding to the base or the emergency site.
(s) No licensee/operator owning or operating an emergency medical service vehicle shall accept or hold an emergency call for emergency medical service when he does not then have available an emergency medical service vehicle for immediate dispatch.
(t) No emergency medical service vehicle shall transport more than three patients at one time unless the emergency medical service vehicle is designed and equipped to transport more than three patients or unless otherwise directed by a police or fire official.
(u) Each emergency medical service vehicle shall meet or exceed Department of Transportation regulations for ambulance specifications, unless specifically exempted by the Safety Director, or his designated representative, upon the recommendation of the Commission.
(v) Shall complete preventative maintenance to manufacturer’s specifications as required by the owner’s manual and record and maintain a log on the same. Said log shall contain the date service was performed, technician’s name and maintenance procedure performed.
(Ord. 2001-94. Passed 6-28-01.)