Chapter 8.04
AMBULANCE SERVICE
Sections:
8.04.030 Ambulance service established.
8.04.040 Administration—Duties of fire chief.
8.04.050 Emergency medical technician/firefighter—Position created.
8.04.060 Ambulance rates to be established by resolution.
8.04.070 Ambulance service moneys reported.
8.04.090 Minimum equipment and staffing requirements.
8.04.100 Availability of service.
8.04.110 Licensing—State requirements.
8.04.120 Interference with service.
8.04.010 Definitions.
As used in this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning or is defined differently in the Oregon Revised Statutes, Section 682.025.
“Ambulance” means a vehicle which is designed or intended to be used in providing transportation of wounded, injured, sick, invalid or incapacitated human beings, or expectant mothers.
“Ambulance service” means the operation of ambulances and the providing of prehospital care or medical transportation to sick, injured or disabled persons for a charge.
“Emergency care” means the performance of acts or procedures under emergency conditions in the observation, care and counsel of the ill, injured or disabled.
“Emergency medical technician” or “EMT” means a trained and qualified individual responsible for the operation of an ambulance and the care of the patients whether or not the EMT also serves as driver.
“Service area” means the area served by the ambulance service, further described on Exhibit A, attached to the ordinance codified in this chapter. (Ord. 875 § 3(G) (part), 1997; Ord. 828 § 1, 1994)
8.04.020 Policy and purpose.
This chapter shall carry out the policy of the city that a high quality ambulance service be made available for the people of the service area at as low a cost as practicable. This chapter is for the purpose of providing adequate transportation for the sick and injured and promoting the public health, safety, comfort and welfare of the citizens of the service area, which is comprised of the city of Sutherlin and adjacent incorporated and unincorporated areas. This service area has been identified by the state of Oregon and Douglas County as an appropriate service area for an ambulance service. (Ord. 828 § 2, 1994)
8.04.030 Ambulance service established.
There is established as a function of the city’s fire department an ambulance service to provide adequate provisions for the transportation of the sick and injured to and from hospitals, asylums, medical centers or institutions where proper treatment and assistance may be administered. (Ord. 828 § 3, 1994)
8.04.040 Administration—Duties of fire chief.
The ambulance service shall be administered, directed and supervised by the fire chief of the city, or his or her designee, whose duty it shall be to keep all ambulance equipment in order, to establish rules and regulations for the use and operation of the same and otherwise to accomplish the aims of this chapter. The chief shall make a report annually to the council as to the condition of the equipment and needs of the ambulance service, and he or she may submit additional reports and recommendations at any meeting of the council. He or she shall be responsible for the proper training and discipline of the emergency medical technician/firefighters who shall staff the ambulance service, and may terminate any employee for good cause. (Ord. 828 § 4, 1994)
8.04.050 Emergency medical technician/firefighter—Position created.
The council creates the position of emergency medical technician/firefighter. (Ord. 828 § 5, 1994)
8.04.060 Ambulance rates to be established by resolution.
The fire chief shall annually review the costs associated with maintaining the ambulance service, and may propose a fee schedule to cover such costs to be established by resolution of the city council. Any fee schedule so adopted shall remain in effect until a new schedule is duly adopted by the resolution of the council. Provided, however, any change in emergency ambulance transport rates shall be adopted subject to any approval requirements set by any ambulance franchise agreement between the city and Douglas County. (Ord. 903, 1999: Ord. 840 § 1, 1995: Ord. 828 § 6, 1994)
8.04.070 Ambulance service moneys reported.
The fire chief shall annually report to the council all income and expenses generated by the ambulance service, and shall propose a budget therefor, including a recommendation, if advisable, for a long term equipment purchasing program. (Ord. 828 § 7, 1994)
8.04.080 Records.
Upon completion of each ambulance run, the EMTs on duty shall complete an emergency medical service record form or its equivalent as prescribed by the Health Division, Department of Human Resources. (Ord. 828 § 8, 1994)
8.04.090 Minimum equipment and staffing requirements.
The ambulance, when in service, shall be equipped with and carry at least the minimum equipment and staffing required by the Oregon Department of Human Resources, Health Division. (Ord. 828 § 9, 1994)
8.04.100 Availability of service.
The service shall offer at least one ambulance for service twenty-four (24) hours per day every day of the year throughout the service area. (Ord. 828 § 10, 1994)
8.04.110 Licensing—State requirements.
The ambulance shall be validly licensed by the state of Oregon, Department of Human Resources, Health Division. Additionally, all other requirements found in Chapter 682 of the Oregon Revised Statutes shall be met. (Ord. 875 § 3(G) (part), 1997: Ord. 828 § 11, 1994)
8.04.120 Interference with service.
It is unlawful for any person to make or cause to be made a call for ambulance service without probable cause, or to neglect to obey any reasonable order of a driver or attendant at an ambulance call, or to interfere with the ambulance service’s discharge of its duties. Any person convicted of violating any provision of this section shall be fined not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each offense. (Ord. 828 § 12, 1994)