Chapter 5.04
AMBULANCE FRANCHISES
Sections:
5.04.010 Required for operation of ambulance or first aid vehicles.
5.04.020 Application – Contents – Proof of minimal liability insurance required.
5.04.030 Operator’s license required.
5.04.040 Ambulance license required.
5.04.050 Ambulance personnel requirements.
5.04.060 Transportation by other vehicles prohibited.
5.04.070 Additional requirements.
5.04.080 Emergency medical and ambulance advisory board.
5.04.090 Ambulance operations – Records – Review – Hearing – Finding.
5.04.100 Violation – Penalties.
5.04.010 Required for operation of ambulance or first aid vehicles.
No person, firm or corporation shall operate an ambulance or a first aid vehicle in Whatcom County (outside the limits of any city or town) without having first secured a franchise issued by the board of county commissioners of Whatcom County, except as provided in subsections (1), (2), (3), and (4) of RCW 18.73.150. (Prior code § 4.02.020).
5.04.020 Application – Contents – Proof of minimal liability insurance required.
A. Applications for a franchise to operate an ambulance (ambulances) or first aid vehicle (vehicles) must be in writing, addressed to the board of county commissioners of Whatcom County, setting forth the name and address of the applicant, the owner of the vehicles, the trade name under which the ambulance will be operated, the operators of the vehicles, and each of the personnel whom it is anticipated will accompany the vehicle operator or operate any of the equipment carried in the vehicle.
B. The application shall also contain a description of the vehicle, including the make, model, year, chassis number, ID number, registration number, license number, the color scheme, insignia, name, monogram or other distinguishing characteristics to be used as designating applicant’s ambulance.
C. The application shall indicate the central location from which the vehicle is intended to be dispatched and indicate the area and locale in which it is to be operated.
D. The applicant shall certify each vehicle as equipped to conform to the requirements of the state laws and shall indicate specifically any manner in which his vehicle, as equipped, deviates from the minimum requirements of state regulations.
E. The provisions of subsections A through D of this section will be deemed satisfied if the applicant can establish he holds a current, valid ambulance or first aid vehicle license issued by the Secretary of the State Department of Social and Health Services; and, his vehicle operator(s) are licensed and approved by the Secretary of the State Board of Social and Health Services.
F. The application should be accompanied by proof of liability insurance in minimum limits of $100,000/$300,000 covering operations. (Prior code § 4.02.030).
5.04.030 Operator’s license required.
An ambulance operator, ambulance director, first aid vehicle operator or first aid director, as defined in RCW 18.73.030, may not operate a service within Whatcom County outside the city limits of any city or town without holding a license for such operation issued by the Secretary of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, except as provided under subsections (1), (2), (3) or (4) of RCW 18.73.130. (Prior code § 4.02.010).
5.04.040 Ambulance license required.
RCW 18.73.140 is adopted by this reference thereto. An annual license is required for an ambulance; qualification for, issuance and revocation of ambulance license is required and license display; and periodic inspections of the ambulance are required. (Prior code § 4.02.040).
5.04.050 Ambulance personnel requirements.
RCW 18.73.150 is by this reference thereto adopted in this chapter. (Prior code § 4.02.050).
5.04.060 Transportation by other vehicles prohibited.
RCW 18.73.180 is by this reference thereto adopted in this chapter. (Prior code § 4.02.060).
5.04.070 Additional requirements.
The following additional sections of Chapter 18.73 RCW are adopted by this reference thereto, insofar as same neither conflict with state regulation nor are superseded by provisions of Chapter 18.73 RCW:
A. RCW 18.73.030, definitions;
B. RCW 18.73.080(1), (a), (b), and (4), minimum requirements prescribed by the Secretary of the State Department of Social and Health Services for ambulances and first aid vehicles; and, liability insurance to be carried by ambulance operators;
C. RCW 18.73.100, conditions for variance from state standards;
D. RCW 18.73.110, emergency medical technician qualifications;
E. RCW 18.73.120, advanced first aid certificate qualification, issuance and duration;
F. RCW 18.73.160, first aid vehicle licenses;
G. RCW 18.73.170, first aid vehicles, personnel and use. (Prior code § 4.02.070).
5.04.080 Emergency medical and ambulance advisory board.
A. There is created a joint, cooperative emergency medical and ambulance advisory board, consisting of the following personnel:
1. The Whatcom County executive;
2. The mayor of Bellingham;
3. A mayor of an incorporated city, other than Bellingham, selected by the Small Cities Mayors’ Association;
4. One Bellingham city councilmember;
5. The chair of the Whatcom County council or his/her designee;
6. Four fire district commissioners (one from each region – north, south, east, west);
7. One fire chief selected by Whatcom County Fire Chiefs’ Association (advisory only);
8. The Bellingham fire chief or fire department medical services officer (advisory only);
9. The medical program director (advisory only).
The Whatcom County executive shall serve as chairperson of the board, unless the board shall elect at a meeting another of its members as chairperson.
B. Duties of the Board. The board shall:
1. Act to coordinate and improve ambulance and related medical transportation services throughout Whatcom County.
2. Be the primary agency for settling disputes between ambulance services and government agencies operating ambulance services throughout Whatcom County.
3. Make budgetary recommendations for ambulance services.
4. Advise the council and other agencies on improvements to ambulance services.
5. Hold at least two public meetings each year with the primary purpose of:
a. Sharing progress and accomplishments from previous year (March/April meeting); and
b. Reviewing and commenting on the projected budget and goals for the new year (August/September meeting).
C. The chairperson of the board may call the board into session on his/her own motion, and the chairperson shall convene the board when requested to do so by a participating agency. (Ord. 2006-007; Ord. 82-109; prior code § 4.02.080).
5.04.090 Ambulance operations – Records – Review – Hearing – Finding.
A. Emergency medical care by ambulance crews will be performed in accordance with the standards and principles of the course of instruction given emergency medical technicians.
B. Records, in a form to be approved by the board, shall be logged by ambulance crews and shall include the appearance and status of, and treatment administered to, injured, sick, or incapacitated persons treated or transported by ambulances or their crews. Such records shall be made and copies filed monthly. The file copy should have a number rather than the name of the person receiving care. Such records are confidential and shall be released only to the board and proper officials, unless subpoenaed.
C. The board shall review operations of ambulance crew to determine whether or not the standards have been met.
D. If it appears to the board that substandard operations may have occurred, the board shall set a hearing date upon not less than three days’ written notice to the crewmen and ambulance owner or proprietor affected. At such hearing the affected crewmen and owner or proprietor shall be apprised of any adverse information under consideration by the board and shall be given the opportunity to present any information or evidence in rebuttal or defense. Such hearing shall be closed to the press and public unless the respondents thereto shall request a public hearing.
E. Upon a finding by the board that the standards have not been met, the board of county commissioners of Whatcom County, by resolution or ordinance, may declare immediate forfeiture of any county franchise or license held by such ambulance crew of the owner, or proprietor of the ambulance service, by whom such ambulance crew is employed. (Prior code § 4.02.090).
5.04.100 Violation – Penalties.
Violation of any provisions of this chapter shall constitute a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, violators shall be fined a sum not exceeding $100.00, or may be imprisoned in the county jail for not exceeding six months. (Prior code § 4.02.100).