5.48B.020 Definitions.

Unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context, words and phrases used in this chapter shall have the meanings attributed to them in RCW 18.73.030 or in this section; provided, that in case of any conflict, this chapter shall control.

“Ambulance patient” means any patient being transported in an ambulance, as defined in RCW 18.73.030.

“Ambulance service” means an agency licensed by the state of Washington to operate one (1) or more ground ambulances, as defined by RCW 18.73.030.

“Ambulance service contract” means the contract entered into between Vancouver and the ambulance service contractor for exclusive market rights for emergency ambulance transports (9-1-1) throughout the regulated service area and non-9-1-1 or nonemergency services outside Vancouver. Contract responsibilities include, but are not limited to, providing all ground ambulance service originating within the contract service area, regardless of whether the patient’s destination is within or outside Clark County, subject to the defenses defined in this chapter.

“Ambulance service contractor” means the entity which is under contract with Vancouver to provide ambulance services.

“Board” means the Clark County board of councilors.

“Cities” means the cities of Battle Ground, La Center, Ridgefield and Woodland, Washington, which have adopted the uniform EMS ordinance and entered into the EMS interlocal cooperation agreement.

“County” means Clark County, Washington.

“District” means Clark County Emergency Medical Services District No. 2 established by ordinance pursuant to RCW 36.32.480.

“Emergency medical services” or “EMS” means medical treatment and care which may be rendered of any medical emergency, or while transporting any patient in an ambulance to an appropriate medical facility, including ambulance transportation between medical facilities.

“EMS interlocal cooperation agreement” means the agreement entered into between the cities, Clark County, and the district pursuant to Chapter 39.34 RCW, in part to effectuate the enforcement of this chapter.

“Medical call-taker” or “emergency medical dispatcher” means a person in the employ of or acting under the control of a private or public agency who receives and responds to calls requesting emergency medical services and administers emergency medical dispatch protocols approved by the medical program director.

“Medical program director” or “director” means the medical program director for Clark County certified by the Secretary of the Department of Health, pursuant to Chapter 18.71 RCW.

“Medical protocol” means any diagnosis-specific or problem-oriented written statement of standard procedures promulgated pursuant to state or local law or regulation for pre-hospital care for a given clinical condition.

“On-line medical control physician” means a physician who gives direction to ambulance or other EMS personnel through direct voice contact or other communication media, as required by applicable medical protocols.

“Patient” means any person who is injured, sick, incapacitated, or otherwise found by the medical program director to require emergency medical services.

“Person” means an individual, partnership, company, association, corporation (governmental or private) or any other legal entity including any receiver, trustee, assignee or similar representative.

“Regulated service area” means the combined area of the unincorporated area of Clark County within EMS District No. 2, plus the corporate limits of the cities and all other general purpose jurisdictions which have adopted the uniform EMS ordinance and entered into the EMS interlocal cooperation agreement.

“Response time zones” means those geographic areas established in the Vancouver ambulance service contract.

“System standard of care” or “standard of care” means the combined compilation of all standards for out-of-hospital medical care including, but not limited to, emergency medical dispatching protocols; EMS patient care guidelines (i.e., first responders and ambulance providers); protocols for selecting destination hospitals; standards for certification of pre-hospital care personnel (i.e., medical call-takers, emergency medical responders, emergency medical technicians, paramedics and on-line medical control physicians); standards for permits (i.e., ambulances, first responder units, helicopter rescue units, and special-use mobile intensive care services); response-time standards; standards governing on-board medical equipment and supplies; and standards for licensure of ambulance services. The standard of care shall serve as both a regulatory and contractual standard of care and performance.

“Uniform EMS ordinance” or “ordinance” means the ordinance codified in this chapter and all substantially identical ordinances adopted by general purpose governmental jurisdictions which are also parties to the EMS interlocal cooperation agreement.

“Vancouver” means the incorporated boundary of the city of Vancouver and Clark County Fire District No. 5. (Sec. 3 of Ord. 2015-08-03)