For purposes of this chapter, the terms listed below are defined
as follows:
"Ambulance"
means every motor vehicle constructed, modified or equipped
for the purpose of transporting, on an emergency basis, passengers
who are in immediate need of emergency aid, and, on a nonemergency
basis, passengers who are nonambulatory but not in need for emergency
aid. The word ambulance is expressly distinguished from vehicles operated
by public entities serving the same purpose as described above.
"Certificate"
means the certificate of compliance required by section 3-31.
"Emergency"
means a life-threatening or other condition requiring immediate
medical attention.
"Nonemergency"
means any condition which is not an emergency and which does
not require the provision of medical care during transport, such as
interfacility transfers and other similar medical transportation.
"Wheelchair bus"
means a private owned motor vehicle especially designed,
constructed, or equipped for the purposes of transporting wheelchair
passengers on a nonemergency basis.
"Permit"
means an ambulance provider's permit issued by the County
of San Diego.
(Ord. No. 94-10, § 1, 4-6-94)
It is a misdemeanor to operate any ambulance or wheelchair bus
without a certificate of compliance. It is also a misdemeanor for
any person to operate an ambulance or wheelchair bus without complying
with each of the requirements of this chapter, including the equipment
requirements of sections 3-40 and 4-49.
(Ord. No. 94-10, § 1, 4-6-94)
(a) All
ambulances and wheelchair buses operated within the city shall comply
with section 2416 and 2501 of the California
Vehicle Code, Title 13
of the
California Code of Regulations, to the extent such sections
apply, shall comply with all of the requirements of the California
Highway Patrol for such vehicles, and the San Diego County Ambulance
Ordinance.
(b) In addition to the requirements of subsection
(a) of this section, the fire chief or designee is authorized and empowered to inspect any ambulance or wheelchair bus to ascertain whether the provisions of this chapter or the requirements of subsection
(a) of this section are being violated. The fire chief shall have the authority to ensure that all violations are corrected in a timely manner.
(c) No person
shall obstruct or interfere with any of the inspections required by
this section.
(Ord. No. 94-10, § 1, 4-6-94)
(a) A licensee
shall, at all times while such license is in effect, maintain in force,
furnish and file with the city, at its own expense, a general comprehensive
liability insurance policy.
(b) Such
policy shall be with a company authorized to do business in the state,
and in a form satisfactory to the city attorney.
(c) Such
policy shall protect the city, its boards, commissioners, officers,
agents and employees against liability for loss or damages for personal
injury, death and property damage occasioned by the operations of
the licensee.
(d) The
minimum liability limits of the policy shall be set by resolution
of the city council from time to time.
(e) Such
policy shall contain a provision that written notice of any cancellation
or reduction in coverage of the policy shall be delivered to the city
30 days in advance of the effective date thereof. If such insurance
is provided by a policy which also covers the licensee or any other
entity or person than those above named, then such policy shall contain
the standard cross-liability endorsement.
(Ord. No. 94-10, § 1, 4-6-94)
The use of any ambulance company to provide emergency services
shall be at the sole discretion of the fire chief. On a rotational
basis, all such ambulance companies shall:
(a) Respond
to any request for emergency service by the fire or police departments
within the following times:
(1) Within
10 minutes of receiving the call 90% of the time, and
(2) Within
15 minutes of receiving the call 95% of the time, and
(3) Within
25 minutes of receiving the call 100% of the time;
(b) For the purpose of calculating the times specified in subsection
(a) of this section, the response time shall commence when the department has completed relaying the dispatch information to the ambulance company and terminate when the ambulance arrives on the scene to which it was dispatched;
(c) Not
charge to the city a fee for any call by the fire or police departments.
(Ord. No. 94-10, § 1, 4-6-94)
Any holder of a certificate for an ambulance shall:
(a) Immediately
notify the city's emergency communication center of:
(1) Any
request for ambulance transportation for a medical emergency within
the city, or
(2) Any
medical emergency which may be determined to exist upon response to
a call for nonemergency transportation;
(3) Any
Code 3 responses (red lights and siren) passing through any part of
the city.
(b) Carry
out instructions of an authorized representative of the city fire
department at the scene of a medical emergency.
(Ord. No. 94-10, § 1, 4-6-94)
(a) Any
ambulance certificate holder which has provided emergency services
at the request of the fire department shall submit unabridged, computer-generated
dispatch reports to the fire department on a monthly basis. These
reports shall show all emergency responses within the city limits
for the month, sorted by response type and number of minutes to respond.
All such reports shall be submitted no later than the fifteenth (15th)
day of each month following the month reported.
(b) On the basis of the reports required by subsection
(a) of this section, and any other relevant evidence, the fire chief shall determine compliance with the response times set forth in section 3-5. The failure to meet required response times for two consecutive rotational periods shall be grounds for revocation of the certificate under section 3-36.
(Ord. No. 94-10, § 1, 4-6-94)
No certificate holder or any of its agents or employees shall
operate or permit to be operated an ambulance unless the certificate
holder makes available upon request the rates for services provided.
(Ord. No. 94-10, § 1, 4-6-94; Ord. No. 94-25, § 1, 6-22-94)
No person shall advertise or offer a vehicle licensed under
this chapter by the use of any name other than that under which the
certificate was granted.
(Ord. No. 94-10, § 1, 4-6-94)
No person shall operate or permit to be operated a wheelchair
bus for the purpose of transporting, on an emergency basis, passengers
who are in immediate need of emergency aid. No person shall operate
or permit to be used a wheelchair bus for transportation unless such
user is physically handicapped and by virtue thereof requires this
type of transportation. Such limitation shall not apply to an attendant
or companion who shall accompany a handicapped person on the trip.
(Ord. No. 94-10, § 1, 4-6-94)