The Board shall, by resolution, divide the County into service areas for the purpose of designating areas within which ambulance companies shall provide primary emergency service and the most timely and effective response in compliance with emergency dispatch policies provided from time to time by the EMS Agency Policies and Procedures Manual. The service areas shall be shown on a map of the County kept on file with the Health Director. In order to carry out the policy of this Chapter, the Board may, in its sole discretion, modify, enlarge, divide or otherwise apportion service areas at any time after notice and public hearing.
(Added by Ord. No. 3390, effective 8-20-09)
Upon recommendation by the Board, the local EMS Agency may designate one or more service areas as exclusive operating areas. A competitive process shall be utilized at appropriate intervals to select one or more ambulance companies to provide exclusive ambulance services in any exclusive operating area as required by Health and Safety Code section 1797.224, unless the Board finds by resolution that an existing ambulance company located within an exclusive operating area is continuing to operate within such area by providing ambulance services in the manner and scope in which such services have been provided without interruption since January 1, 1981.
(Added by Ord. No. 3390, effective 8-20-09)
The Health Director or, in his or her absence, the Health Officer may modify, enlarge, divide, overlap, or otherwise apportion exclusive operating areas and service areas on a temporary basis at any time for any length of time not to exceed 30 days upon any of the following conditions or occurrences:
(a) 
A labor action disrupting or ending ambulance service in all or part of such areas.
(b) 
The closing, bankruptcy or dissolution of an ambulance service company, disrupting or ending ambulance service by that company in all or part of such areas.
(c) 
Any other circumstance which disrupts or ends ambulance service in all or part of such areas and occurs without sufficient notice to allow Board action.
(d) 
Suspension, revocation, or termination of an ambulance service provider's license under this Chapter. Upon request by the Health Director or Health Officer under this section, an ambulance service provider shall cooperate fully and assume on a temporary basis service responsibility in the expanded areas. Such service shall not be a license violation.
(Added by Ord. No. 3390, effective 8-20-09)
It shall be unlawful for any ambulance service provider licensee to provide any ambulance services within the exclusive operating area of another ambulance service provider licensee, except as provided in this Chapter.
(Added by Ord. No. 3390, effective 8-20-09)
An ambulance service provider licensee may provide emergency ambulance services in an exclusive operating area not authorized by its license under the following circumstances:
(a) 
Upon request by the Health Director or Health Officer, a public safety agency, or another ambulance service provider licensee when an ambulance licensed in the service area from which the request originates is not immediately available as provided for in EMS Agency Policies and Procedures.
(b) 
To provide ambulance services to a destination outside of the ambulance service provider licensee's authorized and designated exclusive operating area when the patient was picked up within the authorized and designated exclusive operating area, and to provide return ambulance services to any such patient.
(c) 
Upon request by the Health Director or Health Officer, a public safety agency, or another ambulance service provider licensee when an ambulance licensed in the exclusive operating area from which the request originates is not the closest ambulance unit, and in accordance with EMS Agency Policies and Procedures.
(d) 
When requested by the Health Director, the Health Officer, another ambulance service provider licensee, or a public safety agency to supplement services during a multiple victim incident, or as otherwise provided under EMS Policies and Procedures.
(Added by Ord. No. 3390, effective 8-20-09)
As required, the local EMS Agency shall recommend, and the Board by resolution shall adopt, a competitive process for selecting licensees to operate in exclusive operating areas conforming to EMSA Guideline. Where a competitive process is required, the Board may award an exclusive operating area to an ambulance company after considering the following:
(a) 
The quality of the service to be provided.
(b) 
The level of service to be provided.
(c) 
The cost, if any, to the County.
(d) 
Evidence of ability to work effectively with local agencies.
(e) 
Experience in the provision of ambulance services.
(f) 
The financial viability of the company.
(g) 
Such other criteria as shall be relevant to the issue of which applicant is most likely to provide the best service to the County and its residents and visitors.
(Added by Ord. No. 3390, effective 8-20-09)