[1]
Editor’s note–Former section 7.02.041–7.02.055 pertaining to the reserve unit was repealed in its entirety by Ordinance 2022-008 adopted 2/14/22. Prior to the deletion, these sections derived from the following: 1970 Code, secs. 2-52–2-66; Ordinance 2474, sec. 1, adopted 11/12/79; Ordinance 84-073, sec. 1, adopted 10/8/84; 1988 Code, secs. 2-111–2-125.
There is hereby created in accordance with section 23 of the charter of the city the department of emergency medical service, which may be abbreviated “EMS,” whose head shall be the chief of the fire department.
(1970 Code, sec. 2-49; Ordinance 2459, sec. 1, adopted 7/9/79; 1988 Code, sec. 2-96; Ordinance 2022-012 adopted 3/14/22; Ordinance 2023-016 adopted 3/27/2023)
The purpose of the department of emergency medical service shall be to provide emergency ambulance service, transfer ambulance service and other health services to the citizens of the city.
(1970 Code, sec. 2-50; Ordinance 2459, sec. 1, adopted 7/9/59; 1988 Code, sec. 2-97)
(a) 
The rates for emergency medical vehicle service for residents and nonresidents of Lamar County are as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code.
(b) 
In addition to the established rates, a usual, reasonable, and customary charge for medical supplies and service used or required in connection with emergency and non-emergency transfer service shall be made.
(1970 Code, sec. 2-51; Ordinance 2462, sec. 1, adopted 7/30/79; Ordinance 2584, sec. 1, adopted 7/13/81; Ordinance 85-046, secs. 1, 3, adopted 8/12/85; Ordinance 90-031, sec. 1, adopted 9/10/90; Ordinance 90-032, sec. 1, adopted 9/10/90; Ordinance 94-038, sec. 1, adopted 9/12/94; Ordinance 95-041, sec. 1, adopted 10/2/95; Ordinance 96-053, sec. 1, adopted 9/9/96; Ordinance 97-046, sec. 1, adopted 9/8/97; Ordinance 98-048, sec. 1, adopted 9/14/98; Ordinance 99-064, sec. 1, adopted 9/13/99; Ordinance 2000-045, sec. 1, adopted 9/13/00; Ordinance 2001-060 adopted 9/10/01; Ordinance 2002-041, sec. 1, adopted 9/9/02; Ordinance 2005-046, sec. 1, adopted 9/12/05; Ordinance 2007-027, sec. 1, adopted 9/10/07; Ordinance 2011-043, sec. 1, adopted 10/10/11; Ordinance 2018-002, sec. 1, adopted 1/22/18; 1988 Code, sec. 2-98; Ordinance adopting 2021 Code)
The level of service provided by the city emergency medical services system has been the advanced life support (ALS) level, and all ambulances operated by the city emergency medical services system shall continue to be staffed at the level necessary in accordance with established rules and regulations of the state, the federal government, and the Medicare program to provide emergency medical services at the advanced life support (ALS) level.
(Ordinance 2002-014, sec. 3, adopted 3/11/02; 1988 Code, sec. 2-99)
Emergency medical services
means services used to respond to an individual’s perceived need for immediate medical care and to prevent death or aggravation of physiological or psychological illness or injury and shall include transfer of an individual by emergency medical services vehicle attended by emergency medical services personnel, and any services provided therewith, in non-emergency situations.
Emergency medical services personnel
means:
(1) 
Emergency care attendants;
(2) 
Emergency medical technicians;
(3) 
Advanced emergency medical technicians;
(4) 
Emergency medical technicians - paramedic; or
(5) 
Licensed paramedics.
Emergency medical service provider
means a person who uses or maintains emergency medical services vehicles, medical equipment, and emergency medical services personnel to provide emergency medical services.
Emergency medical services vehicle
means:
(1) 
A basic life-support emergency services vehicle;
(2) 
An advanced life-support emergency services vehicle;
(3) 
A mobile intensive care unit; or
(4) 
A specialized emergency medical services vehicle.
(Ordinance 2016-020, sec. 2, adopted 6/27/16; 1988 Code, sec. 2-100)
(a) 
The provision of emergency medical services is a primarily governmental function to be performed in accordance with the terms of this article.
(b) 
The addition of emergency medical services providers in the city will interfere with and adversely affect the provision of emergency medical services as defined herein provided by the licensed medical services provider operating in the city, to wit: City of Paris EMS.
(c) 
There is no existing emergency medical services provider shortage that cannot be resolved through the use of the city EMS.
(d) 
The addition of licensed emergency medical services providers other than the city EMS will cause an oversupply of licensed emergency medical services providers in the city.
(Ordinance 2016-020, sec. 2, adopted 6/27/16; 1988 Code, sec. 2-101)
It shall be unlawful within the territorial limits of the city for any person, other than an on-duty employee of the city emergency medical service department, to furnish, operate, conduct, maintain, or otherwise be engaged in the operation of an emergency medical services vehicle or to otherwise engage in the provision of emergency medical services as defined herein.
(Ordinance 2016-020, sec. 2, adopted 6/27/16; 1988 Code, sec. 2-102)
(a) 
It shall be a defense to the prosecution of an offense under section 7.02.007 that the person or emergency medical services provider was operating an air ambulance that is regulated by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and that is operating in compliance with state licensing requirements.
(b) 
It is a defense to the prosecution of an offense under section 7.02.007 that the person or emergency services provider was providing emergency as defined herein medical services in an emergency medical services vehicle in a non-emergency situation if the transport originated from a location outside the city to any destination within the city, or if the transport originated from a location inside the city to a destination outside the city limits.
(Ordinance 2016-020, sec. 2, adopted 6/27/16; 1988 Code, sec. 2-103)
The city, at its discretion, from time to time may request assistance through mutual aid agreements for the emergency and non-emergency transportation of patients in the city from other emergency medical services providers. The request for such service, as a failsafe for the protection of the citizens of the city, must come from the city EMS or the 911 dispatch center for the city.
(Ordinance 2016-020, sec. 2, adopted 6/27/16; 1988 Code, sec. 2-104)
An offense under this division is a class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine in accordance with the general penalty provided in section 1.01.009. Each transport provided in violation of this division constitutes a separate offense.
(Ordinance 2016-020, sec. 2, adopted 6/27/16; 1988 Code, sec. 2-105; Ordinance adopting 2021 Code)