§ 34-370. Ambulances and helicopter rescue units.

(a)

Application. Applications for permits shall be made on forms supplied by the city.

(b)

Criteria for issuance.

(1)

The EMSCC shall promulgate regulations setting forth the requirements to obtain a permit for any ambulance or helicopter rescue unit regulated by this article, including special use permits. Helicopter rescue units shall not be subject to regulation of onboard equipment or personnel. Helicopter rescue units shall agree to submit to control by the EMS control center when in the city and not already dispatched to a non-city call. They shall be subject to medical case reviews by the medical director.

(2)

Only ambulances meeting at least minimum state requirements and capable of full advanced life support service may receive a permit. Permits shall be needed for all vehicles not owned or leased or in any way affiliated with the city or those not exempt as described in section 34-377. Permits issued by the city may be suspended or revoked by the city when the conditions allowing the issuance of a permit no longer exist. The city manager through the EMSCC will establish by regulation a procedure to consider the suspension or revocation of a permit.

(3)

The medical director is authorized to revoke or suspend any permit issued pursuant to the provisions of this article for any ambulance or helicopter rescue unit that fails to maintain the basic qualifications for issuance or otherwise constitutes a danger to the safety and health of patients or fails to meet applicable state laws including regulations promulgated thereunder.

(4)

Permits for ambulance and helicopter rescue units will be issued for a period of one year.

(5)

Deadline to renew. It shall be the responsibility of a permit holder to request a renewal of a permit no later than 30 days prior to expiration of the current permit. The failure to renew permits by the expiration date renders the permit expired. Expired permits are neither revoked nor suspended, but is the absence of a permit. It is unlawful to perform any patient transport activity as an ambulance or helicopter rescue unit with an expired permit.

(Ord. No. 071380, § 1, 12-13-07; Ord. No. 100122, § 1, 2-25-10)