Chapter 5.25
AMBULANCES
Sections:
5.25.020 Application for license and application fee – Information to be shown or required.
5.25.030 Investigation and/or hearing on license application.
5.25.040 Issuance of license and fees therefor.
5.25.050 Ambulance inspection.
5.25.070 No inspections by City.
5.25.090 Obedience to traffic laws, ordinances, and regulations.
5.25.010 Definitions.
The following definitions are adopted for the purpose of this chapter:
A. “Ambulance” means any vehicle constructed and/or equipped for the transportation of the wounded, injured, or sick, and shall include emergency ambulances and invalid coaches.
B. “Ambulance operator” means anyone engaging in the business of transporting ill, sick, or injured persons, or who, by advertising, representation, or otherwise holds himself out as engaging in such business.
C. “Attendant” means a trained and/or qualified individual responsible for the operation of an ambulance and the care of the patient(s), whether or not the attendant also serves as driver.
D. “Attendant-driver” means an individual who is qualified as an attendant and a driver.
E. “City” means the City of Mountlake Terrace.
F. “Driver” means an individual who drives an ambulance.
G. “Operating an ambulance” as used herein means and applies to the operation of any ambulance which:
1. Is stationed within the City.
2. Is dispatched from within or without the corporate limits of the City and repeatedly or customarily makes trips for hire within the City to pick up patients for fares.
3. Makes any trips into the City for that purpose after occasional or repeated advertising within the City, of such service; provided, that the provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any ambulance which shall pass this City in the delivery of fares picked up at points beyond the corporate limits of the City.
H. “Patient” means an individual who is sick, injured, wounded, or otherwise incapacitated or helpless. (Ord. 722 § 1, 1970).
5.25.020 Application for license and application fee – Information to be shown or required.
A. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to engage in the business of ambulance operator or operate an ambulance service within the City without first obtaining and being the holder of a valid ambulance service business license. The licenses required under this chapter are separate from and in addition to the business license that may be required under Chapter 5.05 MTMC when applicable. Application for ambulance service business license within the City shall be made to the City Manager upon forms to be prepared under his direction and available at the office of the City Clerk. Such applications shall contain the following information:
1. Name and address of applicant.
2. Business name and address from which business will be operated, or if a firm, partnership, corporation, association, company, or organization of any kind, the names and addresses of persons owning a financial interest therein.
3. A list of all vehicles to be used in connection with business, with make, model, motor number, year, current license, size, design, and color scheme of each vehicle.
4. A list of all personnel to be engaged as employees in the operation of business, with designation of the position and qualifications of each employee.
5. Whether or not the applicant or any officer under subsection (A)(2) of this section, or employee, has been convicted of the violation of any national, state, or municipal law, and whether or not any person with whom they have been associated or employed has claims or judgments against them for damages resulting from the negligent operation of a motor vehicle.
6. The financial ability and the responsibility of the applicant, his ability to respond in damages in the event damages to persons or damages to property by reasons of the negligent operation of an ambulance, the amount and type of any and all insurance carried for business purposes and proof that the insurance is in force for period of application. Proof shall be deposited with the City Clerk.
7. The facts showing the demand for such service. (Certificate of public necessity.)
8. The experience that the applicant and/or employee has had in tendering such service and the period of time that he/they rendered it in this or any other city. (Ord. 2764 § 9, 2019; Ord. 722 § 2, 1970).
5.25.030 Investigation and/or hearing on license application.
The City Manager shall make or cause to be made such investigation and/or hearing as he may consider necessary, including any hearings that he may deem desirable as to any application for license, and whether or not the applicant is fit and proper to conduct such business. In determining whether or not a license should be issued, the City Manager shall give weight and due regard, among other things to:
A. Public permanence and quality of service offered by the applicant and the experience applicant has had in rendering such service in the City; the past experience of the applicant in adjusting claims and paying judgments, if any, to claimants as a result of injuries received by reason of the negligent operation of an ambulance.
B. Information provided pursuant to MTMC 5.25.020(A)(6).
C. The character and condition of equipment and ambulances to be used.
D. The evidence in any investigation, inquiry, or hearing may be taken by the City Manager or by any agent or employee to whom such investigation, inquiry, or hearing has been assigned by the City Manager. Every finding, opinion, and order made by such agent or employee, as above specified, pursuant to such investigation, inquiry or hearing, shall be advisory only to the City Manager.
E. If the City Manager finds that the applicant is not fit and proper to conduct such a business, then the license application shall be denied and the applicant shall be entitled to have refunded 75 percent of license application fee and such proof of insurance as was deposited with the City Clerk. Denial of an application by the City Manager may be appealed to the City Council in writing within 30 days of notice of denial. (Ord. 722 § 3, 1970).
5.25.040 Issuance of license and fees therefor.
Upon approval of the City Manager of license application in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, the license shall be issued for a fee as set forth in the Business License Ordinance of the City of Mountlake Terrace then currently in force. (Ord. 1027, 1975; Ord. 722 § 4, 1970).
5.25.050 Ambulance inspection.
The Chief of Police shall inspect all ambulances prior to issuance or renewal of any license as herein provided to insure compliance of this chapter.
A. A valid ambulance inspection certificate shall be prominently displayed in each vehicle.
B. Each ambulance shall, at all times when in use as such:
1. Conform with the standards, requirements and regulations provided for in this chapter for the transportation of patients, from the standpoint of health, sanitation, and safety, and the nature of the premises in which it is maintained;
2. Contain equipment conforming with the standards, requirements, and regulations provided for herein, which equipment shall be in proper and good condition for such use;
3. Currently comply with all applicable laws and local ordinances relating to health, sanitation, and safety; and
4. Be equipped with such lights, sirens, and special markings to designate it as an ambulance;
5. Each licensed and inspected ambulance, its equipment and the premises designated in the application and all records relating to its maintenance and operation as such, shall be available for inspection by the Police Chief at all reasonable times to assure compliance with this chapter. (Ord. 722 § 5, 1970).
5.25.060 Insurance.
No license or inspection certificates shall be issued under this chapter nor shall any ambulance be operated in this City unless there is at all times in force and effect insurance coverage issued by an insurance company licensed to do business in the state of Washington, for each and every ambulance to be operated under said license, providing for public liability insurance in the amounts of $100,000 for personal injuries to one person or $300,000 for more than one person arising out of each accident or occurrence and property damage insurance in the amount of $25,000 for each accident or occurrence.
Evidence of insurance policies for term of license shall be submitted to the City Clerk at time of application for license. Such evidence shall be a certificate from the licensee’s insurance company that the insurance exists and that it will not be canceled without five days written notice of cancellation previously given to the City Clerk of the City of Mountlake Terrace. (Ord. 722 § 6, 1970).
5.25.070 No inspections by City.
In accord with RCW 18.73.020, the City of Mountlake Terrace will not provide ambulance inspections. (Ord. 1875, 1990; Ord. 722 § 7, 1970).
5.25.080 Reports.
A. Each licensee of an ambulance hereunder shall maintain accurate records upon such forms as may be provided or prescribed by, and containing such information as may be required by the City Manager concerning the transportation of each patient within the City, or from one place herein to another place within or beyond its limits. Such records shall be available for the inspection by the Chief of Police at any reasonable time and copies thereof shall be filed by the licensee within 24 hours upon request by the Chief of Police.
B. The provisions of subsection A of this section shall apply with equal force in case the patient shall die before being so transported in such ambulance or dies while being transported therein or at any time prior to the acceptance of the patient into the responsibility of the hospital or medical or other authority if the patient is still under the care or responsibility of the ambulance licensee. (Ord. 722 § 8, 1970).
5.25.090 Obedience to traffic laws, ordinances, and regulations.
A. The driver of an ambulance, when responding to an emergency call or while transporting a patient, may exercise the privilege set forth in this section, but subject to the conditions herein stated, and only when such driver has reasonable grounds to believe that an emergency in fact exists requiring the exercise of such privileges.
B. Subject to the provisions of subsection A hereof, the diver of an ambulance may:
1. Park or stand, irrespective of the otherwise applicable provision of law, ordinance, or regulation.
2. Proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign, but only after slowing down as may be necessary for safe operation.
3. Exceed the maximum speed limits permitted by law, ordinance, or regulation so long as he does not endanger life or property, and
4. Disregard laws, ordinances, or regulations governing direction or movement or turning in specified directions.
C. The exemptions herein granted shall apply only when such ambulance is making use of audible and visual signals meeting the requirements of law, ordinance, or regulation.
D. The foregoing provisions shall not relieve the driver of an ambulance from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons, nor shall such provision protect the driver from the consequences of his reckless disregard for the safety of others. (Ord. 722 § 9, 1970).
5.25.100 Appeal.
In the event of a violation of any of the sections of this chapter, the licenses herein granted may be revoked or suspended by the City Manager.
In the event that the privilege of having a license for operation of an ambulance, or to be a driver or attendant of an ambulance, shall be revoked, suspended or denied by the City Manager, the applicant or licensee shall have the right to appeal the decision to the City Council. (Ord. 722 § 10, 1970).
5.25.110 Penalties.
Any person, firm, or corporation who shall violate the provisions of this chapter shall upon conviction thereof be punished by a fine not to exceed $250.00 or be imprisoned in the City jail for a period not to exceed 90 days. (Ord. 722 § 11, 1970).