The city, by and through its fire department, establishes an emergency medical service to be operated by the city fire department.
(2002 Code, sec. 5.601)
The following words and phrases, as used in this division, shall have the following meanings:
Approved user fee.
Those as established by the city council and resolution.
City council.
The governing body of the city.
Emergency medical technician (EMT).
An individual who is a “specially skilled emergency medical technician” under chapter 773, Texas Health and Safety Code, or its successor.
Interlocal agreement.
A mutual aid agreement between one or more municipalities of ambulance service whereby the signing parties agree to provide backup ambulance service to one another under conditions and pursuant to terms specified in the agreement.
Medical control.
That direction given EMS and mobile intensive care unit personnel by a base station physician through direct voice contact, with or without vital sign telemetry, as required by applicable medical protocols promulgated by the medical control board and by chapter 773, Texas Health and Safety Code, or its successor.
Medical director.
An emergency physician, expert in the pre-hospital practice of emergency medicine, appointed by the ambulance service contractor.
Medical protocol.
Any diagnosis-specific or problem-oriented written statement of standard procedures, or algorithm, promulgated by the medical control board as the proper standard of pre-hospital care for a given clinical condition.
Mobile intensive care unit.
A vehicle which is specially constructed, equipped, staffed and employed in the inter-facility transport of patients whose requirements for en-route medical support are likely to exceed the clinical capabilities of a paramedic level ambulance.
Paramedic.
A person qualified as a certified “paramedic emergency medical technician” as defined by chapter 773, Texas Health and Safety Code, or its successor.
Person.
Any individual, firm, partnership, association, corporation, governmental entity or other group or combination acting as a unit.
Service area.
The geographic area encompassing the city limits or as provided by interlocal agreement.
System standard of care.
The combined compilation of all priority dispatching protocols, pre-arrival instruction protocols, medical protocols (i.e., for first responders and ambulance personnel), protocols for selecting destination hospital, and standards for certification of pre-hospital care personnel (i.e., telephone call takers, first responders, ambulance personnel and on-line medical control physicians), developed and adopted by the medical control board, as well as standards governing requirements for on-board medical equipment and supplies.
(2002 Code, sec. 5.602)
(a) 
The fire department of the city shall hereby establish emergency medical services and operate such services in conformity with the Texas Health and Safety Code, as amended.
(b) 
The department, by and through its fire chief, shall establish minimum standards and protocols which are in conformance through Biotel or other appropriate medical control board. All persons operating a specialized mobile intensive care unit shall be licensed and certified as a paramedic emergency medical technician as defined by chapter 773, Texas Health and Safety Code, or its successor.
(c) 
The city shall provide for a basic and standard of care system as provided in its standards and protocols.
(d) 
The city shall establish by resolution a minimum service charge for service under this division.
(e) 
Failure by the person requesting or accepting the service of an ambulance to pay to the person furnishing such service the customary charge thereof within ninety (90) days after demand for payment is made shall be liable for the cost of collection, including interest, court costs and attorney fees. Demand for payment as used in this division shall be written demand, sent by registered or certified mail, addressed to the person requesting or accepting the service and to the address given by and on behalf of such service at the time such service is requested or accepted.
(2002 Code, sec. 5.603)
All persons and entities regulated under this division shall comply with the laws of the state and [with] reference to permits, licenses, minimum equipment and minimum qualifications of operators and attendants and all state and federal laws and regulations applicable to ambulance operations.
(2002 Code, sec. 5.604)