HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 01-18-1994 - VIII-C 4 y
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ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Action Agenda
Item No Vin C
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: January 18, 1994
SUBJECT: EMS Franchise Applications
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DEPARTMENT Emergency Management PUBLIC HEARINGS YES NO x
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ATTACHMENT(S) INFORMATION CONTACT
Applications Nick Waters, ext 3030
EMS Franchise Ordinance TELEPHONE NUMBER
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 968-4501
Mebane 227-2031
Durham 688-7331
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PURPOSE: To consider refranchising the South Orange Rescue Squad and
the Orange County Rescue Squad for ambulance service, under the
provisions of the new EMS franchise ordinance.
BACKGROUND: In April 1993, the Board of Commissioners adopted
an "Ordinance Regulating Emergency Medical, First Responder, and Rescue
Service and Granting of Franchises and Contracts to the Operators in
the County of Orange" . This ordinance updated and modernized the
County' s ambulance and EMS regulations, and superseded the County' s
1981 EMS franchise ordinance. One necessary step as a result of the
adoption of the new ordinance is the refranchising of existing service
providers.
The South Orange Rescue Squad and Orange County Rescue Squad have
submitted applications for franchises to provide Basic Life Support
(BLS) and Advanced Life Support (.ALS) services. These applications, if
approved, would result in refranchising the two rescue squads for
ambulance services they have been providing, in accordance with the
provisions of the updated ordinance. These applications are the first
phase of a routine process by EMS staff to help all existing service
providers become franchised as required by the new ordinance.
Franchise requests from the rescue squads and a number of volunteer
fire departments for rescue and/or first responder services are
expected to be submitted and reviewed during the next few months.
These ALS franchise applications were reviewed and discussed by the EMS
Advisory Council at its December 15, 1993 meeting, with no concerns or
objections noted. In that the two rescue squads provide ambulance
service as an integral part of the Orange County EMS system, training
documentation required of the franchise applicant under Section III of
the ordinance is maintained by Orange County Emergency Management. EMS
staff have reviewed the other required attachments and recommend
approval of both franchise applications.
RECOMMENDATION: The Manager recommends that the Board approve the
franchises for BLS and ALS service for the South Orange Rescue Squad
and the Orange County Rescue Squad.
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APPLICATION
FOR
AMBULANCE RESCUE OR MEDICAL FIRST RESPONDER FRANCHISE
ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
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Date of Applicationt 12- 12-93
I. APPLICANT:
A. Name of Applicant: SOUTH ORANGE RESCUE SQUAD,INC.
B. Address:Street: 202 ROBERSON STREET
City/State: CARRBORO, N.C. Zip 27510
C. Telephone No. at Bass of Operations: 967-1515
D. Name of Owner/Contact Person: RAYMOND D. deFRIESS
E. Address:Street: SAME
City/State: SAME Zip
F. Telephone No. : SAME PAGER# 216-0424
G. *Trade Name: SOUTH ORANGE RESCUE SQUAD
H. Category of Franchise Applied For (A separate
application must be completed for each category of
service applied for) t
BLS: ALS: RESCUE SERVICES
[ ] First Responder [x] D-Level [ ] Extrication
[x] Emergency Ned Techn. [x] I-Level [ ] High/Low Angle
[y(] Convalescent Transport [x] P-Level [ ] Confined Space
[ ] Trench
[ ] Water
H. ATTACHMENTS REQUIREDt
1. Certified copy of Articles of Incorporation Charter
or *Assumed Name Certificate.
2. Resume' of training and experience of the applicant
in rescue and transportation and care of patients.
3. A financial statement as it pertains to operations
in Orange County.
4. A copy of Organization's By-Laws (if applicable) .
5. A copy of Organization's Standard Operating
Procedures.
6. A current roster of members to include name,
address, and social security number.
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APPLICATION
FOR
AMBULANCE RESCUE OR MEDICAL FIRST RESPONDER FRANCHISE
ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
Date of Application: December 12, 1993
I. APPLICANT:
A. Name of Applicant: Orange County Rescue Squad
B. Address:Street: 261 South Churton Street
City/State: Hillsborough, N. C. Zip 27278
C. Telephone No. at Base of Operations: (919) 732-8984
D. Name of Owner/Contact Person: Douglas W. Noell, Chief
E. Address:Street: 102 Dublin Road
City/State: Chapel Hill, N. C. Zip 27516
F. Telephone No. : 929-4407-Home 967-8211-Work
G. *Trade Name: Orange County Rescue Squad
H. Category of Franchise Applied For (A separate
application must be completed for each category of
service applied for) :
BLS: ALS: RESCUE SERVICES
First Responder D-Level Extrication
Emergency Med Techn. I-Level High/Low Angle
Convalescent Transport [y] P-Level Confined Space
Trench
Water
H. ATTACHMENTS REQUIRED:
I. Certified copy of Articles of Incorporation Charter
or *Assumed Name Certificate.
2. Resume' of training and experience of the applicant
in rescue and transportation and care of patients.
3. A financial statement as it pertains to operations
in Orange County.
4. A copy of Organization's By-Laws (if applicable) .
5. A copy of Organization's Standard Operating
Procedures.
6. A current roster of members to include name,
address, and social security number.
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AN ORDINANCE REGULATING EMERGENCY MEDICAL, FIRST RESPONDER, AND
RESCUE SERVICE AND GRANTING OF FRANCHISES AND CONTRACTS
TO THE OPERATORS IN THE COUNTY OF ORANGE
INDEX
SECTION PAGE
Section I. Definitions 1
Section II. Franchise Required 4
Section III. Application for Ambulance Franchise 5
Section IV. Application for Medical First
Responders 6
Section V. Application for Rescue Services 7
Section VI. Granting of Franchise 8
Section VII. Term of Franchise 9
Section VIII. Standards for Drivers and
Attendants 10
Section IX. Standards for Vehicles and Equipment 11
Section X. Standards for Communications 11
Section XI. Insurance 11
Section XII. Records 12
Section XIII. Rates and Charges 13
Section XIV. Enforcement 13
Section XV. Miscellaneous 14
Section XVI. County Emergency Medical Services
Advisory Council 14
Section XVII. Effective Date; Repealer; Grand-
father Provisions 14
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Reissued 04Z20/93
AN ORDINANCE REGULATING EMERGENCY MEDICAL, FIRST RESPONDER, AND
RESCUE SERVICE AND GRANTING OF FRANCHISES AND CONTRACTS
TO THE OPERATORS IN THE COUNTY OF ORANGE
An ordinance governing the granting of franchises for
emergency services and other prehospital emergency medical
services. The Orange County Board of Commissioners does
ordain the following:
SECTION I. DEFINITIONS
Unless the context otherwise requires, the following definitions
shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this
ordinance:
1. 1 . AMBULANCE
The term "ambulance" means any privately or publicly
owned motor vehicle, aircraft, or vessel that is
specially designed, constructed, or modified and
equipped and is intended to be used for and is
maintained or operated for the transportation on the
streets or highways, waterways or airways of this
state of persons who are sick, injured, wounded, or
otherwise incapacitated or helpless.
1. 2 EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN (EMT)
The term "emergency medical technician" means an
individual who has completed a training program in
emergency medical care at least equal to the National
Standard Training Program for Emergency Medical
Technicians as defined by the United States Department of
Transportation and has been certified as an emergency
medical technician by the State of North Carolina office
of Emergency Medical Service.
1. 3 AMBULANCE PROVIDER
The term "ambulance provider" means an individual, firm,
corporation or association who engages or professes to
engage in the business or service of transporting patients
in an ambulance.
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1. 4 APPROVED
The term "approved" shall mean approved by the North
Carolina Medical Care Commission pursuant to the latter' s
rules and regulations promulgated under N. C. General
Statutes 143B-165.
1.5 SECONDARY AMBULANCE PROVIDER
The term "secondary ambulance provider" shall mean the
system of personnel and equipment meeting the same
criteria as a primary ambulance provider, but not normally
dispatched on first call response.
1. 6 COUNCIL
The term "council" shall mean the Orange County Emergency
Medical Services Advisory Council.
1. 7 COUNTY
The term "county" shall mean the Orange County and its
Board of Commissioners or their designated representative.
1. 8 TELECOMMUNICATOR
The term "telecommunicator" shall mean a person who is
available at all times to receive requests for emergency
services, to dispatch emergency services, and to advise
local law enforcement agencies, fire departments, rescue
squads, and emergency medical services and facilities of
any existing or threatened emergency.
1. 9 EMERGENCY
The terms "emergency" and "emergency transportation
service" shall mean the use of a service, its equipment
and personnel to provide medical care, rescue, and/or
transportation of a patient who is in need of immediate
rescue or medical treatment in order to prevent loss of
life or further aggravation or physiological or
psychological illness or injury.
1. 10 FIRST RESPONDER
The term "first responder" shall mean an organization with
personnel trained in emergency medical care that is
dispatched to the scene of a medical emergency for the
primary purpose of providing emergency medical assistance
to a patient until the ambulance and additional medical
aid arrives.
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1. 11 FRANCHISE
The term "franchise" shall mean a permit issued by the
County to a person for the operation of an ambulance
service, rescue squad or first responder unit.
1. 12 FRANCHISEE
The term "franchisee" shall mean any person having been
issued a franchise by the County for the operation of an
ambulance service, rescue squad or first responder unit.
1. 13 LICENSE
The term "license" shall mean any driver's license or
permit to operate a motor vehicle issued under or granted
by the laws of the State of North Carolina.
1. 14 CONTRACT
The term "contract" shall mean the instrument by which
both parties agree to the terms of operation of the
service to be provided.
1. 15 CONVALESCENT TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
The term "convalescent transportation service" shall mean
the operation of an ambulance for any purpose other than
transporting emergency or emergent patients.
1.16 OPERATOR
The term "operator" shall mean a person in actual physical
control of an ambulance or rescue service vehicle which is
in motion or which has the engine running.
1. 17 OWNER
The term "owner" shall mean any person or entity who owns
an ambulance or provides a service covered by this
ordinance.
1. 18 PATIENT
The term "patient" means an individual who is sick,
injured, wounded, or otherwise incapacitated or helpless
such that the need for some medical assistance might be
anticipated while being transported to or from a medical
facility.
1. 19 PERSON
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The term "person" shall mean any individual, firm,
partnership, association, corporation, company, group of
individuals acting together for a common purpose, or
organization of any kind, including any governmental
agency other than the United States.
1.20 RESCUE
The term "rescue" shall mean situations where victims
cannot escape an area through the normal exit or under
their own power.
1.21 SERVICE
The term "service" shall mean the same as owner.
1.22 VICTIM
The term "victim" shall mean any patient or potential
patient who is entrapped, entangled, pinned, fallen,
suspended, or otherwise in need of rescue services.
SECTION II. FRANCHISE REQUIRED
2 . 1 No person either as owner, agent or otherwise, shall
furnish, operate, conduct, maintain, advertise, or
otherwise be engaged in or profess to be engaged in the
business or service of emergency, emergent and/or
convalescent transportation of patients within the County
of Orange unless the person holds a valid permit for each
ambulance used in such business or service issued by the
North Carolina Department of Human Resources, Office of
Emergency Medical Services, and has been granted a
franchise for the operation of such business or service
by the County pursuant to this Ordinance.
2 . 2 No person shall drive an ambulance, attend a patient in
one, or permit one to be operated when transporting a
patient within the County of Orange unless he or she holds
a currently valid North Carolina Operator's License and a
currently valid certificate as an EMT (Emergency Medical
Technician) , EMT-D (Emergency Medical Technician-
Defibrillator) , EMT-I (Emergency Medical Technician-
Intermediate) , EMT-AI (Emergency Medical Technician-
Advanced Intermediate) or EMT-P (Emergency Medical
Technician-Paramedic) issued by the North Carolina
Department of Human Resources, Office of Emergency Medical
Services.
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2 . 3 No person either as owner, agent or otherwise, shall
furnish, operate, conduct, maintain, advertise, or
otherwise be engaged in or profess to be engaged in the
business or service of providing rescue services or first
responder services unless they have been granted a
franchise for the operation of such business or service
by the County pursuant to this ordinance.
2 .4 No franchise shall be required for:
(a) Any entity operated from a location or headquarters
outside of the County of Orange in order to (1)
transport patients who are picked up beyond the limits
of the County of orange to facilities located within
the County of Orange, or (2) to pick up patients
within the County of orange for transporting to
locations outside the County of Orange; but no such
entity shall be used to pick up patients within the
County of Orange for transporting to locations within
the County of Orange or other locations unless it is
rendering assistance to a franchised ambulance service
in the case of a major catastrophe or mutual aid.
(b) Ambulances owned and operated by an agency of the
County, the State of North Carolina, or the United
States.
SECTION III. APPLICATION FOR AMBULANCE FRANCHISE
3 . 1 Application for a franchise to operate ambulances,
emergency or convalescent, in the County of Orange shall
be made by the ambulance provider upon such forms as may
be prepared or prescribed by the County and shall contain:
(a) The name and address of the ambulance provider and
of the owner of the ambulance(s) .
(b) The trade or other fictitious names, if any, under
which the applicant does business, along with a
certified copy of an assumed name certificate stating
such name, or articles of incorporation stating such
name.
(c) A resume of the training and experience of the
applicant in the transportation and care of patients.
(d) A full description of the type and level of
service to be provided including the location of the
place or places from which it is intended to
operate, the manner in which the public will be able
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to obtain assistance and how the vehicles will be
dispatched; and a financial statement of the
applicant as the same pertains to the operations in
the County of Orange, said financial statement to be
in such form and in such detail as may be required
by the County.
(e) A list of radio frequencies the applicant is
authorized to operate on, and a copy of the FCC
license(s) in the name of the person providing the
service.
(f) A description of the applicant's capability to
provide twenty-four hour coverage, seven days per
week for the district covered by the franchise
applied for, and an accurate estimate of the minimum
and maximum times for a response to calls within
such district.
(g) Any information the County shall deem reasonably
necessary for a fair determination of the capability
of the applicant to provide ambulance services in
the County of Orange in accordance with the
requirements of state laws and the provisions of
this regulation.
SECTION IV. APPLICATION FOR MEDICAL FIRST RESPONDERS
4 . 1 Application for a franchise to operate as medical first
responders in the County of Orange shall be made by the
provider upon such forms as may be prepared or prescribed
by the County and shall contain:
(a) The name and address of the provider and of the
owner of the service.
(b) The trade or other fictitious names, if any, under
which the applicant does business, along with a
certified copy of an assumed name certificate stating
such name, or articles of incorporation stating such
name.
(c) A resume of the training and experience of the
applicant in the treatment and care of patients.
(d) A full description of the type and level of service
to be provided including the location of the place or
places from which it is intended to operate, the
manner in which the public will be able to obtain
assistance and how the vehicles will be dispatched;
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and a financial statement of the applicant as the same
pertains to the operations in the County of Orange,
said financial statement to be in such form and in
such detail as may be required by the County. A
current financial statement provided by a fire
department, volunteer or otherwise, operating within
the County which has been provided to the County as
part of the County budget process shall satisfy this
financial statement requirement.
(e) A list of radio frequencies the applicant is
authorized to operate on, and a copy of the FCC
license(s) in the name of the person providing the
service, unless included as part of a fire department
radio system.
(f) A description of the applicant's capability to
provide coverage for the district covered by the
franchise applied for, and an accurate estimate of the
minimum and maximum times for a response to calls
within such district.
(g) Any information the County shall deem reasonably
necessary for a fair determination of the capability
of the applicant to provide medical first responder
services in the County of orange in accordance with
the requirements of state laws and the provisions of
this regulation.
SECTION V. APPLICATION FOR RESCUE SERVICES
5. 1 Application for a franchise to provide rescue services
in the County of Orange shall be made by the provider upon
such forms as may be prepared or prescribed by the
County and shall contain:
(a) The name and address of the provider and of the
owner of the service(s) .
(b) The trade or other fictitious names, if any, under
which the applicant does business, along with a
certified copy of an assumed name certificate stating
such name, or articles of incorporation stating such
name.
(c) A resume of the training and experience of the
applicant in the rescue techniques of victims.
(d) A full description of the type and level of service
to be provided including the location of the place or
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places from which it is intended to operate, the
manner in which the public will be able to obtain
assistance and how the vehicles will be dispatched;
and a financial statement of the applicant as the same
pertains to the operations in the County of
Orange, said financial statement to be in such form
and in such detail as may be required by the County.
(e) A list of radio frequencies the applicant is
authorized to operate on, and a copy of the FCC
license(s) in the name of the person providing the
service.
(f) A description of the applicant's capability to
provide twenty-four hour coverage, seven days per week
for the district covered by the franchise applied for,
and an accurate estimate of the minimum and maximum
times for a response to calls within such district.
(g) Any information the County shall deem reasonably
necessary for a fair determination of the capability
of the applicant to provide rescue services in the
County of Orange in accordance with the requirements
of state laws and the provisions of this regulation.
SECTION VI. GRANTING OF FRANCHISE
6. 1 Prior to accepting applications for the operation of any
service, the Board of Commissioners may designate specific
service areas as franchise districts. Said districts will
be established using criteria that includes geographic
size, road access, the location of existing medical
transportation services, population, and response time.
The County shall have the authority to redistrict or
rearrange existing districts at any time at their
discretion.
6. 2 An applicant may apply for a franchise to operate an
ambulance service, emergency or convalescent, rescue
service, or Medical First Responder Unit or any two or all
three. If more than one (1) service is to be provided, an
application must be filed for each service.
6. 3 Upon receipt of an application for a franchise, the
County shall schedule a time and place for hearing the
applicant. Within 30 days after hearing, the County shall
cause such investigation as it may deem necessary to be
made of the applicant and his or her proposed operations.
6.4 A franchise may be granted if the County finds that:
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(a) The applicant meets county/state standards and
standards outlined in the franchise ordinance.
(b) The proposed service will fit within the existing
service so as not to adversely affect the level of
service or operations of other franchisees to render
service.
(c) A need exists for the rendered service in order to
improve the level of service available to residents of
the County helping to assure the provision of adequate
and continuing service which preserves, protects, and
promotes the public health safety and welfare and that
granting the franchise is a cost effective and
reasonable manner of meeting the need.
SECTION VII. TERM OF FRANCHISE
7. 1 The County may issue a franchise hereunder to an
ambulance provider, to be valid for a term of five (5)
years. The franchise holder can surrender a franchise
granted pursuant to this ordinance with 60 days notice to
the County, and the County may revoke the franchise as
provided in Section XIV 1.E. After a notice of service
termination is given, the provider may reapply for a
franchise if continued service is desired.
7. 2 upon suspension, revocation, or termination of a
franchise granted hereunder, such franchised ambulance
service, rescue squad or first responder unit immediately
shall cease operations. Upon suspension, revocation, or
termination of a driver's license or an attendant's
certificate i.e. , First Responder, Rescue, Emergency
Medical Technician, EMT-D, EMT-I, EMT-AI, or EMT-P
certificate, such persons shall cease to drive an
ambulance or provide medical care, First Responder and
Rescue Service or attend an ambulance. The franchisees
shall not permit such an individual to drive an ambulance
or provide medical care in conjunction with the ambulance
service, provide rescue service or first responder
service.
7. 3 Each franchised service shall comply at all times with
the requirements of this Ordinance, the franchise granted
hereunder, and all applicable state and local laws re-
lating to health, sanitation, safety, equipment, ambulance
design and all other laws and ordinances.
7. 4 Prior approval of the County shall be required where
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ownership or control of more than 10 percent of the right
of control of franchisee is acquired by a person or group
of persons acting in concert, none of whom own or control
10 percent or more of such right of control, singularly or
collectively, at the date of the franchise. By its
acceptance of the franchise, the franchisee specifically
agrees that any such acquisition occurring without prior
approval of the County shall constitute a violation of the
franchise by the franchisee and shall be cause for
termination at the option of the County.
7 . 5 Any change of ownership of a franchised service without
the approval of the County shall terminate the franchise
and shall require a new application and a new franchise
and conformance with all the requirements of this
Ordinance as upon original franchising.
7 . 6 Any change in the level of service offered of a
franchised ambulance service, rescue squad or first
responder unit without the approval of the County shall
terminate the franchise and shall require a new
application and a new franchise and conformance with all
the requirements of this Ordinance as upon original
franchising.
7 .7 No franchise may be sold, assigned, mortgaged, or
otherwise transferred without the approval of the County;
and a finding of conformance with all requirements of this
Ordinance as upon original franchising. Each franchised
ambulance, rescue, or first responder service, its
equipment and the premises designated in the application
and all records relating to its maintenance and operation,
as such, shall be open to inspection by the State, the
County, or their designated representatives.
7. 8 The franchise certificate shall be posted in a readily
visible location at the base of operations for the
franchised service.
7 . 9 A franchise certificate may not be defaced, removed, or
obliterated.
SECTION VIII. STANDARDS FOR DRIVERS AND ATTENDANTS
8. 1 Standards for drivers and attendants as developed by the
North Carolina Medical Care Commission as requirements for
certification of emergency medical technicians pursuant to
Article 7, Chapter 131E-158, and Article 56, Chapter 143,
of the General Statutes of North Carolina, and rules and
regulations promulgated by the Board of Medical Examiners
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for Advanced Life Support Technicians shall be applied and
the same are incorporated herein by reference.
SECTION IX. STANDARDS FOR VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT
9. 1 Vehicle and equipment standards as developed by the North
Carolina Medical Care Commission pursuant to Article 7,
Chapter 131E-157, and Article 56, Chapter 143 , of the
General Statutes of North Carolina, and shall be applied
and the same are incorporated herein by reference.
SECTION X. STANDARDS FOR COMMUNICATIONS
10. 1 Each ambulance vehicle shall be equipped with an
operational two-way radio capable of establishing good
quality voice communications from within the geographic
confines of the County to each hospital (s) emergency
department in the County in which the service is based.
Each ambulance vehicle shall be equipped with two-way
radio communications capabilities for communications with
all hospital emergency departments to which transportation
of patients is made on a regular or routine basis anywhere
within the state. Each ambulance or rescue vehicle shall
be equipped with an operational two-way radio capable of
establishing communications from within the geographic
confines of the County to the dispatching agency within
the county. This section shall not apply to privately
owned vehicles of the members.
10.2 Each provider shall maintain current authorizations or
Federal Communication Commission licenses for all
frequencies and radio transmitters operated by that
provider. Copies of all authorizations and licenses shall
be on display and available for inspection per Federal
Communication Commission's Rules and Regulations.
10. 3 Each base of operations must have at least one open
telephone line. Telephone numbers must be registered with
each law enforcement agency and communications center in
the County of Orange.
10.4 Each service shall be dispatched from the County Dispatch
Center or an acceptable and approved alternative.
SECTION XI. INSURANCE
11.1 No franchise shall be issued under this Ordinance, nor
shall such franchise be valid after issuance, nor shall
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any service vehicles be operated in the County of Orange
unless the franchisee has at all times in force and effect
either insurance coverage, issued by an insurance company
licensed to do business in the State of North Carolina for
every vehicle owned and/or operated by or for the service
providing for the payment of damages:
(a) In the minimum sum of $1, 000, 000 for injury to or
death of individuals in accidents resulting from any
cause for which the owner of said vehicle would be
liable on account of liability imposed on him by law,
regardless of whether the vehicle was being driven by
the owner or his agency; and,
(b) In the minimum sum of $1, 000, 000 for the loss of or
damage to the property of another, including personal
property, under like circumstances, in sums as may be
required by the State or as approved by the County of
Orange.
(c) The insurance coverage minimum limits required in
subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall be
evaluated annually by the Orange County Office of
Emergency Management in consultation with the Orange
County Director of Central Services and revised as
deemed appropriate and as directed by the Orange
County Office of Emergency Management. In directing a
change in insurance coverage, the Orange County Office
of Emergency Management shall consider the risk needs
protected by this insurance coverage and the
availablility in the marketplace of the coverage
amounts to be required.
SECTION XII. RECORDS
12 . 1 Each franchisee shall maintain the following records:
(a) Record of Dispatch - Shall show time call was
received, time dispatched, time arrived on scene,
time arrived at destination, time in service, and
time returned to base.
(b) Trip Record - Shall state all information required
in Section (a) in addition to information on a form
approved by the County. The trip record shall be so
designed as to provide the patient with a copy thereof
containing all required information.
(c) Driver and Attendant Checklist and Inspection Report
Shall list contents and description of operations for
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each vehicle, signed by the individual verifying
vehicle operations and equipment.
SECTION XIII. RATES AND CHARGES
13 . 1 Each franchisee shall submit a schedule of rates to the
County for approval and shall not charge more nor less
than the approved rates without specific approval by the
County.
13 . 2 No service shall attempt to collect rates on emergency
calls until the patient has reached the point of
destination, has received medical attention and is in a
condition deemed by the physician fit to consult with the
service, but such service may attempt to collect rates
with family or guardian of the patient once the patient is
in the process of receiving medical attention.
13 . 3 On convalescent calls, attempts to collect payment may
be made before the ambulance begins its trip.
SECTION XIV. ENFORCEMENT
14. 1 The Orange County Office of Emergency Management shall
be the enforcing agency for the regulations contained in
this Ordinance. Such office will:
(a) Receive all franchise proposals from potential
providers.
(b) Study each proposal for conformance to this
Ordinance.
(c) Recommend to the Board of Commissioners the
approval/disapproval of the franchise(s) to the
applicants submitting the best proposal (s) .
(d) Inspect the premises, vehicles, equipment, and
personnel of franchisees to assure compliance to
this Ordinance and perform any other inspections
that may be required.
(e) Recommend to the Board of Commissioners the
temporary or permanent suspension of a franchise in
the event of noncompliance with the franchise terms
of this Ordinance. Recommend the imposition of
misdemeanor or civil penalties as provided therein.
(f) Insure by cooperative agreement with other services
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the continued service in a district where a service
franchise has been suspended.
(g) Receive complaints from the public, other enforcing
agencies, and services regarding franchise
infractions.
(h) Recommend improvements to the County which will
insure better rescue service and medical care and
transportation.
(i) Maintain all records required by this Ordinance and
other applicable County regulations.
SECTION XV. MISCELLANEOUS
15. 1 The County may, upon reasonable notice, inspect a
franchisee's records, premises, and equipment at any
time in order to insure compliance with this Ordinance
and any franchise granted hereunder.
SECTION XVI. COUNTY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ADVISORY COUNCIL
16. 1 The Council shall have the responsibility and duty of
advising the Emergency Management Director on matters
relating to the enforcement of this Ordinance as specified
in Section XIV above and shall provide information and
advice to the Board of County Commissioners regarding such
standards of care, policies, procedures, and actions which
will maintain and improve the quality of emergency medical
services for the residents of Orange County.
16. 2 Representatives from the franchised providers may attend
any meetings when the Council considers matters relating
to the granting of franchises and/or reviewing complaints
from the public and investigations regarding franchised
services.
SECTION XVII. EFFECTIVE DATE; REPEALER; GRANDFATHER PROVISIONS
17. 1 This Ordinance shall take effect on the 20th day of
April, 1993 . AN ORDINANCE REGULATING THE OPERATION OF
AMBULANCE SERVICES AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF EMERGENCY
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IN ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
effective March 1, 1981, is hereby repealed effective
April 20, 1993 . Any person, firm, or corporation
providing ambulance service, rescue service or first
responder service pursuant to a valid franchise issued by
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Orange County under the repealed March 1, 1981 Ordinance
shall be entitled to continue that service as provided in
the franchise and for the term of the franchise. Any such
franchise may, however, be suspended, revoked, or
terminated as provided in this Ordinance.
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