Chapter 5.08
AMBULANCES
Sections:
5.08.010 Definitions.
5.08.020 Responsibility of operator.
5.08.030 License required.
5.08.040 Application for license.
5.08.050 Fees for license.
5.08.060 Rates and charges.
5.08.070 Public hearing on application.
5.08.080 Drivers--Satisfactory first aid training required.
5.08.100 Grounds for suspension or revocation of license.
5.08.110 Violations -- Misdemeanor -- Gross Misdemeanor -- Civil Infraction.
5.08.010 - Definitions
For the purpose of this chapter:
A. "Ambulance" means any privately owned motor vehicle that is specifically designed, converted, or constructed and equipped, and is intended to be used for and is maintained or operated for the transportation and emergency medical care of patients from the general public.
B. "Ambulance operator" means a person engaged in the business of furnishing or operating an ambulance service.
C. "Attendant" means a trained and qualified individual responsible for the operation of an ambulance and the care of the patient whether or not the attendant also is qualified and serves as driver.
D. "Attendant-driver" means a person who is qualified as an attendant and as a driver.
(Ord. 3933 §1, 1976).
5.08.020 - Responsibility of operator
An ambulance operator shall supervise his employees, the drivers of the ambulances, the attendants thereon and the ambulance, to assure that at all times such vehicles are in a condition to meet the requirements of this chapter; to assure that a competent licensed driver is operating the same when making calls, and that a licensed attendant is present and accompanies such vehicle. The operator shall not permit a person who is under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs to drive an ambulance or to accompany the same as an attendant. In case the driver-attendant violates a provision of this chapter, the operator may be held responsible, and his license may be revoked for the violations.
(Ord. 3933 §2, 1976).
5.08.030 - License required
No person, either as owner, agent or otherwise, shall furnish, operate, conduct, maintain, advertise, or otherwise engage in or profess to be engaged in the business or service of the transportation of patients upon the streets, alleys, or any public way or place in the city unless he holds a currently valid license for an ambulance issued pursuant to this chapter. No license shall be issued under this chapter unless the applicant holds a currently valid license issued by the Thurston-Mason County health district board of health. Any license required by this chapter shall be in addition to any other license or permit that is required by the city; provided, however, that no such license or certificate shall be required for an ambulance or for an attendant or attendant-driver of an ambulance which:
A. Is rendering assistance to licensed ambulances in the case of a major catastrophe or emergency with which the licensed ambulances of the city are insufficient or unable to cope;
B. Is operated from a location or headquarters outside of the city in order to transport patients who are picked up beyond the limits of the city to locations within the city, but no such outside ambulance shall be used to pick up patients within the city unless the attendant and attendant driver and the person, subject to the provisions of this chapter in respect to such ambulance, hold a currently valid license and certificate issued pursuant to this chapter.
(Ord. 3933 §3, 1976).
5.08.040 - Application for license
Applications for ambulance licenses under this chapter shall be made upon such forms as may be prepared or prescribed by the city clerk treasurer.
(Ord. 3933 §4, 1976).
5.08.050 - Fees for license
Fees for licenses under this chapter shall be one hundred dollars plus an additional twenty-five dollars for each vehicle operated by the licensee. The expiration date for all such licenses shall be December 31st of each year and shall be prorated on the basis of the number of months remaining in the license year from the date of application for the license.
(Ord. 3933 §5, 1976).
5.08.060 - Rates and charges
Upon making application for an ambulance license, the applicant shall submit a list of rates and charges, which shall be subject to the approval of the city commission. The rates and charges shall be subject to review and approval annually at the time of the license renewal and shall be filed with the city clerk-treasurer.
(Ord. 3933 §7, 1976).
5.08.070 - Public hearing on application
Upon the filing of an application for an ambulance license, the city clerk-treasurer shall fix a time and place for a public hearing before the city commission. Ten days’ written notice of the hearing shall be given to the applicant and to all persons to whom ambulance licenses have previously been issued by the city. Notice shall be given to the general public as to the time and place of the hearing by publishing notice thereof in a newspaper published in the city at least ten days prior to the date of the hearing. Interested persons may file a memorandum with the city commission in support of or in opposition to the issuance of a license. At the hearing, if the commission determines that the applicant is qualified and that an additional licensed operation is necessary to meet the needs and requirements of the city, it shall order the city clerk-treasurer to issue the license. If the commission finds the applicant is unqualified or that the additional service is not needed, it shall order the city clerk-treasurer to deny the license.
(Ord. 3933 §8, 1976).
5.08.080 - Drivers –Satisfactory first aid training required
From and after the effective date of this chapter no person shall operate an ambulance, or be permitted to operate an ambulance, within the city unless such person has satisfactorily completed a recognized standard training course in first aid to injured persons.
(Ord. 2388 §1, 1941).
5.08.100 - Grounds for suspension or revocation of license
In addition to other grounds specified in this chapter, an ambulance license can be revoked:
A. If the license holder abandons the operation of its ambulance service for one or more days;
B. If the license holder fails to render satisfactory service.
(Ord. 3933 §6, 1976).
5.08.110 - Violations -- Misdemeanor -- Gross Misdemeanor -- Civil Infraction
A. Any person, firm, or corporation who knowingly violates or fails to comply with any term or provision of this chapter shall be deemed to have committed a misdemeanor, and if found guilty, shall be subject to a fine not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000), and/or to imprisonment not to exceed ninety (90) days or to both such fine and imprisonment. Each day shall be a separate offense. In the event of a continuing violation or failure to comply, the second and subsequent days shall constitute a gross misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) and/or imprisonment not to exceed three hundred and sixty-five (365) days or both such time and imprisonment.
B. As an additional concurrent penalty, it shall be a civil infraction for a person, firm, or corporation to violate or fail to comply with any term or provision of this chapter. Each day shall be a separate infraction. A person, firm, or corporation found to have committed a civil infraction shall be assessed a monetary penalty as follows:
1. First offense: Class 3 ($50), not including statutory assessments.
2. Second offense arising out of the same facts as the first offense: Class 2 ($125), not including statutory assessments.
3. Third offense arising out of the same facts as the first offense: Class 1 ($250), not including statutory assessments.
See also OMC Chapter 4.44, Uniform Code.
(Ord. 6081 §3, 2001; Ord. 3933 §9, 1976).