For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
AMBULANCE. Any privately or publicly owned motor vehicle, aircraft, or vessel that is specially designed, constructed, or modified and equipped and is intended to be used for, and is maintained or operated for, the transportation on the streets or highways, waterways, or airways of this state of persons who are sick, injured, wounded, or otherwise incapacitated or helpless.
AMBULANCE ATTENDANT. An individual who has completed a training medical care program in emergency medical care and first aid approved by the state’s Department of Human Resources and has been certified as an AMBULANCE ATTENDANT by the Department of Human Resources, Office of Emergency Medical Services.
AMBULANCE PROVIDER. An individual, firm, corporation, or association who engages or professes to engage in the business or service of transporting patients in an ambulance.
APPROVED. Approved by the state’s Medical Care Commission pursuant to the latter’s rules and regulations promulgated under G.S. § 143B-165.
COUNCIL. The County Emergency Medical Services Council.
COUNTY. The County Board of Commissioners or its designated representative.
DISPATCHER. A person who is available at all times to receive requests for emergency services, to dispatch emergency services, and to advise local law enforcement agencies and emergency medical facilities of any existing or threatened emergency.
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 or physiological or psychological illness or injury.
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 Department.
FIRST 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 the ambulance and additional medical aid arrives.
FRANCHISE. A permit issued by the county to a person for the operation of an ambulance service.
FRANCHISEE. Any person having been issued a franchise by the county for the operation of an ambulance service.
LICENSE. Any driver’s license or permit to operate a motor vehicle issued under or granted by the laws of the state.
NONEMERGENCY TRANSPORTATION SERVICES. The operation of an ambulance for any purpose other than transporting emergency patients.
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.
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.
PERSON. Any individual, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company, group of individuals acting together for a common purpose, or organization of any land, including any governmental agency other than the United States.
RESCUE. Situations where the victim cannot escape an area through the normal exit or under his or her own power.
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.
(Ord. passed - -)