[HISTORY: Adopted by the Village Board of
the Village of Elm Grove 2-12-1990; as amended through 1-13-1997. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
A.
The Village Board finds that continuous increases
in the cost of providing adequate ambulance service to the village
has created a need for additional funds to underwrite the costs of
this service. This is despite the fact that tax funds provided by
residents and village businesses have, and will be, used for basic
costs associated with the ambulance service. In order to provide for
an orderly and equitable use of emergency medical services furnished
by the Village of Elm Grove to all persons requiring such service
within the village, it is deemed necessary to adopt a fee and rules
for such service.
B.
The Village Board finds that, historically, substantial
financial contributions for ambulance vehicles and major equipment
components carried on those vehicles have been received from village
residents and their families and others affiliated with them and village
businesses on behalf of themselves and their employees.
C.
The Village Board further finds that the staffing
of village ambulances has occurred on a voluntary paid on-call basis
by persons, many of whom are village residents, village business operators
and their employees with minimal compensation to them for their many
long hours of services and training.
[Amended 12-11-2000]
D.
The Village Board finds that the value of financial
and in-kind labor contribution by emergency medical services (EMS)
personnel, many of whom are village residents and business people,
must be recognized in the establishment of any fee.
[Amended 12-11-2000]
E.
The Village Board finds that in establishing fees
the failure to differentiate between persons who as a class have contributed
to the establishment and ongoing operation of the ambulance service
and those who as a class have not or are not likely to make such contributions
will have an adverse effect on future receipt of financial and in-kind
service donations vital and necessary for the operation of this ambulance
service.
F.
The following provisions are authorized, and it is
further declared that the fees established herein shall be for the
purpose of providing revenue to assist in defraying the costs of the
ambulance service.
For purposes of this chapter, the following
terms shall have the stated meanings:
Emergency medical care that is rendered to a sick, disabled
or injured individual, based on signs, symptoms or complaints, prior
to the individual's hospitalization or while transporting the individual
between health care facilities that uses knowledge, skills and techniques
received from training beyond that which is required for licensure
in the State of Wisconsin as an emergency medical technician - basic.
Emergency medical care that is rendered to a sick, disabled
or injured individual, based on signs, symptoms or complaints, prior
to the individual's hospitalization or while transporting the individual
between health care facilities and that is limited to use of the knowledge,
skills and techniques received from training required for licensure
in the State of Wisconsin as an emergency medical technician - basic.
Facilities that routinely provide routine, urgent and/or
emergency medical care to patients, including but not limited to private
physicians' offices and chiropractic offices but excluding residential
or assisted living facilities.
[Amended 12-11-2000]
Any person who is not a resident of the village.
Any person whose primary legal residence pursuant to the
laws of the State of Wisconsin is within the village.
A.
The Emergency Medical Services Director or designee
shall collect a fee as established in the fee schedule adopted from
time to time by resolution of the Board of Trustees. The Emergency
Medical Services Director shall, however, have discretion to adjust
the amount of fee levied in a particular circumstance based on the
nature of the response, the level of services needed and/or provided
and other various circumstances of the request for services and/or
response the Emergency Medical Services Director deems, in his or
her judgment, to be relevant.
B.
Limitations of emergency service. Such emergency ambulance
service shall be furnished within the geographic limits and to such
hospitals as designated and approved by resolution of the Village
of Board of Trustees.
The fees as provided under this chapter shall
be reviewed annually by the Emergency Medical Services Director, taking
into account current manpower, equipment, material and maintenance
costs, and by the Village Board for adjustment.
The above fees shall be binding upon all persons
receiving such services as well as their successors in interest, assigns,
estates and heirs.
The Village Attorney may enforce the provisions
of this chapter by civil action in court for the collection of amounts
due and any other appropriate relief.
Nothing in this chapter shall authorize any
village department or personnel to refuse or delay any service to
any person that has not paid for services or that owes for previous
services.
