Chapter 5.14
AMBULANCE REGULATIONS
Sections:
5.14.020 Emergency Ambulance Transportation Services.
5.14.030 Nonemergency Ambulance Transportation Services.
5.14.010 Definitions.
“Advanced life support” as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 1797.52 means special services designed to provide definitive prehospital emergency medical care, including, but not limited to, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, cardiac monitoring, cardiac defibrillation, advanced airway management, intravenous therapy, administration of specified drugs and other medical preparations, and other specified techniques and procedures administered by authorized personnel under the direct supervision of a base hospital as part of a local EMS system at the scene of an emergency, during transport to an acute care hospital, during interfacility transfer, and while in the emergency department of an acute care hospital until responsibility is assumed by the emergency or other medical staff of that hospital.
“Agreement” means the agreement between the City and an ambulance service operator to provide emergency ambulance transportation services as provided in this chapter.
“Ambulance” means any motor vehicle that is specifically designed, constructed, modified, equipped, or arranged and operated for the purpose of transporting patients requiring basic or advanced life support medical services.
“Basic life support” as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 1797.60 means emergency first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedures that, at a minimum, include recognizing respiratory and cardiac arrest and starting the proper application of cardiopulmonary resuscitation to maintain life without invasive techniques until the victim may be transported or until advanced life support is available.
“Emergency ambulance transportation service” means transportation by an ambulance of one or more patients in response to an emergency or from the scene of an emergency and giving rise to the need for basic or advanced life support services. This transportation may require “code 3” response (red lights and siren). All ambulance transportation services within the City that are requested in response to a 911 call, by the City’s Fire Department or other public agency, or from the Metro Cities Fire Authority Communications Center shall be deemed “an emergency ambulance transport service.”
“Nonemergency ambulance transportation service” means transportation by ambulance of a patient who is medically stable but may need basic life support and requires transportation from one location to another. This transportation does not normally require “code 3” response. Nonemergency ambulance transportation service shall not include any response to an emergency, any response that may require advanced life support, transportation from the scene of an emergency, or any emergency ambulance transportation service. The term “nonemergency ambulance transportation service” shall be construed narrowly. (Ord. 2023-22 § 225, 2023)
5.14.020 Emergency Ambulance Transportation Services.
A. It is unlawful for any person or ambulance service operator to provide emergency ambulance transportation service or respond to an emergency within the City, or to act in such a capacity either directly or indirectly, without: (1) entering into an agreement with the City; and (2) procuring and maintaining a license issued pursuant to the ordinances, rules, and regulations of the County and any other licenses or permits as may be required.
B. Any person or ambulance service operator receiving a request for emergency ambulance transportation service within the City, from someone other than a public safety agency, shall immediately, by telephone, notify the City’s Fire Department’s communication center.
C. Subsection (A) of this section shall not apply to:
1. Emergency ambulance response and transportation services operated by the City’s Fire Department;
2. Ambulances operated at the request of a public safety agency during any “state of war emergency,” “state of emergency,” or “local emergency” as defined in California Government Code Section 8558;
3. Ambulance service transporting a patient from a location outside of the City limits regardless of destination;
4. In the event of a mass casualty situation, as determined by the Fire Chief or Police Chief;
5. Emergency ambulance response and transportation services expressly requested by the City’s Fire Department;
6. An ambulance service operator who has a contractual agreement with a hospital or medical facility, within the City, to transport patients to/from the hospital or medical facility to/from another hospital or medical facility; or
7. Nonemergency ambulance transportation services provided in compliance with Section 5.14.030. (Ord. 2023-22 § 226, 2023)
5.14.030 Nonemergency Ambulance Transportation Services.
A. It is unlawful for any person or ambulance service operator to provide nonemergency ambulance transportation service or respond to a nonemergency within the City, or to act in such a capacity either directly or indirectly, without acquiring and maintaining a license issued pursuant to the ordinances, rules, and regulations of the County of Orange and any other licenses or permits as may be required.
B. No ambulance service operator shall provide nonemergency ambulance transportation service on the streets of the City without first obtaining a City business license and providing the Fire Chief with evidence of County approval and licensing for the personnel, equipment, and operation of nonemergency ambulance transportation service in Orange County.
C. The City Council shall by resolution establish a schedule of rates applicable to all nonemergency ambulance transportation service and may, upon its own motion or upon application of any person holding a business license for the operation of nonemergency transportation service, modify or amend such a schedule. Prior to establishing, modifying, or amending any schedule or rates of nonemergency ambulance transportation service, the City Council shall hold a public hearing after giving ten (10) days’ prior written notice to all providers and/or applicants, and said proposed rate changes in the official newspaper of the City at least once, not less than ten (10) days prior to the date of said hearing. (Ord. 2023-22 § 227, 2023)