(A) Purpose. It is the purpose of this chapter to establish a regulated ambulance service system that can provide each ambulance patient with the best possible chance of survival without disability of preventable complication.
(B) General intent. It is the intent of the City Council that:
(1) Exclusivity is mandatory because it is neither fair nor financially feasible to require a high level of emergency performance from one ambulance company while simultaneously allowing other ambulance companies to select certain preferred non-emergency business.
(2) Substantive regulation requiring clinical excellence and citywide lifesaving response time performance cannot reasonably be imposed on an unsubsidized ambulance company without simultaneously granting that ambulance company an exclusive contract to furnish all ambulance service, both emergency and non-emergency, to the residents of the city.
(3) The City Council has determined it appropriate for an exclusive contract for ambulance service be granted to EASI, Inc.
(4) This chapter will:
(a) Furnish bona fide monitoring and medical control of present ambulance operations.
(b) Require the development of a first responder program.
(5) EASI shall be required to:
(a) Have one ALS level ambulance stationed in the city limits of White Hall and have back up EASI units available when system permits.
(b) Provide staffing to ensure that EASI adheres to the national standard for response times (90% in eight minutes 59 seconds or less).
(c) Design the communication system and control center operation to allow for full time recording of all ambulance related radio and telephone traffic.
(d) Provide rescue and recovery services for the City of White Hall.
(e) Transport patients to the "closest appropriate facility" per state EMS rules and regulations. At patient request, EASI shall transport to a Little Rock hospital if patient is stable and/or the system allows.
(f) Provide Emergency Medical Dispatchers 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and continue to be a secondary PSAP for MECA.
(g) Continue to utilize the AWINS radio system to enable EASI to talk to other emergency services (police, fire, and the like) operating in the City of White Hall and Jefferson County.
(h) Operate in conformity with the rules and regulations pertaining to emergency medical services of the Arkansas Department of Health and the laws of the State of Arkansas.
(Ord. 507, passed 2-20-18)