Chapter 18.44
AMBULANCE Revised 10/24
Sections:
18.44.030 Fees and charges schedule. Revised 10/24
18.44.010 Authorization.
The fire department of the city is authorized to operate and maintain an ambulance for the purpose of providing emergency transportation to those individuals in need of emergency medical care. Said ambulance shall be considered an authorized emergency vehicle, subject to the rules and regulations established by KMC 10.12.060. (Ord. 859 § 1, 1977)
18.44.020 Charges.
The charges for use of and the services provided by each city ambulance shall be determined by the extent of care required to stabilize the patient’s condition and by the resources required to provide that care.
(a) Charges are as follows:
(1) Acuity I – Basic Life Support – (BLS) – $800.00. Transportation by ground ambulance vehicle and the provision of medically necessary supplies and services, including BLS ambulance services as defined by state emergency medical services regulations. The ambulance must be staffed by an individual who is qualified in accordance with state and local laws as an emergency medical technician basic (EMT Basic), or Alaska EMT 1. This acuity will be used for airport transports unless the patient meets the requirements of a higher acuity level.
(2) Acuity II – Basic Life Support – (BLS) Emergency – $800.00. BLS service, as specified above, when the service has been provided in immediate response to a 911 call or the equivalent. An immediate response is one in which the fire department begins as quickly as possible to take the steps necessary to respond to the call.
(3) Acuity III – Advanced Life Support Level 1 – (ALS1) – $1,000. Transportation by ground ambulance vehicle and the provision of medically necessary supplies and services including the provision of an ALS assessment or at least one ALS intervention. An ALS provider is a provider trained to the emergency medical technician – intermediate (EMT-Intermediate), Alaska EMT 2, Alaska EMT 3 or paramedic level. ALS intervention is a procedure beyond the scope of an EMT Basic.
(4) Acuity IV – Advanced Life Support Level 1 – (ALS1) Emergency – $1,000. ALS 1 service, as specified above, when the service has been provided in immediate response to a 911 call or the equivalent. An immediate response is one in which the fire department begins as quickly as possible to take the steps necessary to respond to the call.
(5) Acuity V – Advance Life Support Level 2 – (ALS2) – $1,200. Transportation by ground ambulance vehicle and the provision of medically necessary supplies and services including:
(A) At least three separate administrations of one or more medications by intravenous push/bolus or by continuous infusion (excluding crystalloid fluids); or
(B) The provision of at least one of the following procedures: manual defibrillation/cardioversion; endotracheal intubation; central venous line; cardiac pacing; chest decompression; surgical airway; or intraosseous line.
(b) An additional charge of $50.00 shall be made when transportation requires the use of the airport ferry.
(c) An additional charge of $20.00 per loaded mile will be assessed for all transports regardless of transport acuity level.
(d) For the transport of an empty isolette from the airport to the hospital via ambulance, the air ambulance service provider will be billed $500.00. (Ord. 1971 § 1, 2023; Ord. 1874 § 1, 2018; Ord. 1630 § 1, 2009; Ord. 1582 §§ 1 – 4, 2007; Ord. 1455 § 1, 2002; Ord. 1396 § 1, 1998; Ord. 1294 § 1, 1994; Ord. 1206 § 1, 1991; Ord. 1017 § 1, 1984; Ord. 995 § 1, 1983; Ord. 928 § 1, 1980; Ord. 859 § 2, 1977)
18.44.030 Fees and charges schedule. Revised 10/24
The fees and charges imposed by this chapter may be changed from time to time as set forth in an ambulance fees and charges schedule established by resolution of the council. Prior to the council approving a resolution under this section, the fire department shall post a copy of the proposed resolution at the Ketchikan City Hall, Ketchikan Fire Station 1, and the city’s website at least 14 days prior to the next city council meeting inviting written public comments to be submitted to the fire chief within seven days of such posting. Any such public comments shall then be presented to the city council for its consideration before it approves the resolution. This section does not limit written or oral public comments being made to the Ketchikan city council at any time. The city council may make amendments to the proposed resolution without providing for additional public comments. (Ord. 1994 § 1, 2024)