No person (either as owner, agent or otherwise) shall furnish,
operate, conduct, maintain or otherwise engage in or advertise, offer
or profess to engage in the ambulance service unless the person holds
(and is entitled to hold) a currently valid ambulance operator's permit
or emergency ambulance service permit. No permit is required for the
delivery of persons picked up outside the County boundaries that transport
into the County.
(Prior code § 10-210)
Each application for an ambulance operator's permit shall be
made upon forms prescribed by the permit officer.
(Prior code § 10-211)
A.
Each
applicant who desires an ambulance operator's permit shall submit
the following data:
1.
The
names and addresses of the applicant, registered owner, partner, officer,
director and controlling shareholder;
2.
The
applicant's training and experience in the transportation and care
of patients;
3.
A
financial statement for the previous fiscal year, prepared by a certified
public accountant;
4.
A
description of each ambulance including: the make, model, year of
manufacture, vehicle identification number; current State license
number, the length of time the vehicle has been in use; and the color
scheme, insignia, name monogram and other distinguishing characteristics
of the vehicle;
5.
A
statement that the applicant owns or has under his or her control,
in good mechanical condition, required equipment to consistently provide
quality ambulance service in the area for which he or she is applying,
and that the applicant owns or has access to suitable facilities for
maintaining his or her equipment in a clean and sanitary condition;
6.
A
description of the company's program for maintenance of the vehicles;
7.
A
description of the number and type, frequency and private line codes
of the vehicles' radios;
8.
A
description of the locations from which ambulance services will be
offered, noting the hours of operation;
9.
A
list, amended as required during the year for any personnel changes,
giving the name and a description of the training for each ambulance
attendant and driver and a copy of each certificate or license issued
by the State or County establishing qualifications of such personnel
in the ambulance;
10.
A description of the company's training and orientation programs
for attendants. dispatchers, and drivers;
11.
Statement of the legal history of the applicant, including criminal
and civil convictions.
B.
Emergency Service. Each applicant who desires an emergency ambulance service permit shall, in addition to the information required by subsection A of this section, show:
1.
The
ability of the applicant to provide emergency ambulance service within
established response times for each emergency response area applied
for, 24 hours per day, seven days per week, year round;
2.
All
service charges and rate structure of the company;
3.
Whether
the service will include advanced life support service, and if so:
4.
An affirmation that the applicant possesses and maintains currently valid California Highway Patrol Inspection Reports for each vehicle listed in the application, and submit a copy of the license issued by the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol to privately owned ambulance companies (in accordance with Section 2501, California Vehicle Code);
5.
Evidence
of insurance coverage as required by the chapter;
6.
The
applicant may be required to submit such other information as the
permit officer deems necessary for determination of compliance with
this article.
(Prior code § 10-212)
Upon receipt of a completed application and the required fee,
the permit officer shall make or cause to be made such investigation
to determine if:
A.
The
applicant meets the requirements of this article and of other applicable
laws, ordinances, and regulations; and
B.
That
the radio in each vehicle is installed, is in good working order,
and is integrated with the existing medical communications systems.
(Prior code § 10-213)
B.
In making
such determination, the permit officer shall consider, among other
things,
1.
The
demand and necessity for ambulance service, and the adequacy of existing
service(s);
2.
Whether
the applicant is able to provide the requested service;
3.
Whether
the applicant has knowingly made a false statement of fact in such
application;
4.
Whether
the applicant has knowingly failed to disclose facts pertinent to
the application; and
5.
Whether
the applicant was previously a holder of a permit issued under this
chapter which has been revoked or not renewed based on the provisions
of this article.
(Prior code § 10-214)
If it is determined that the applicant does not meet all requirements
within this article, then the permit officer shall deny the application
and notify the applicant in writing within 90 days of the receipt
of the application.
(Prior code § 10-215)
Whenever the permit officer denies an application for a permit,
the applicant may request a hearing on the denial at which the applicant
will have the burden of proof. The appeal will be made to the Board
of Supervisors and a hearing scheduled within 30 days of the applicant's
written request for hearing. When the permit officer issues an emergency
ambulance service permit, the existing service within the response
zone may file an appeal with the Board of Supervisors. A hearing on
the request shall be scheduled within 30 days of the written request
for an appeal.
(Prior code § 10-216)
The decision of the permit officer rendered pursuant to this
chapter shall be final, unless appealed to the Board of Supervisors
within 30 days after such decision is rendered in writing, and notice
of the same is given to the applicant by certified mail.
(Prior code § 10-217)
Permits shall be continued upon payment of the annual renewal
fee unless earlier suspended, revoked or terminated for cause.
(Prior code § 10-218)
Within 60 days of the effective date of the ordinance codified
in this chapter, the ambulance companies that have been continuously
providing ambulance services for a minimum of one 180 days prior to
the effective date of said ordinance, may apply for and obtain a County
ambulance operator's permit and emergency ambulance service permit.
The Permit Officer shall issue or deny a permit to each existing company
within 60 days of receipt of an application for such a permit, based
on their ability to meet the requirements as set forth in this chapter.
The fee for the initial license for existing companies shall be the
fee set for new applicants.
(Prior code § 10-219)
The applicant and permittee shall report to the permit officer any change in the data required in Section 5.96.090 within 10 days of the effective date of change, except that any change in the data required in Sections 5.96.090(A)(1) and (B)(4) shall be reported immediately.
(Prior code § 10-220)
No permit shall be transferred to another person except upon
prior approval of the Permit Officer. Application for transfer of
any ambulance operator's permit shall be subject to the same terms,
conditions, and requirements as if the application were for an original
permit.
(Prior code § 10-221)
Applicants for renewal of an ambulance operator's permit or emergency ambulance service permit under this article shall annually file with the Permit Officer an application in writing, on a form furnished by the Permit Officer, which shall include information required in Section 5.96.090. The application for renewal shall be accompanied by a renewal fee.
(Prior code § 10-222)
