§ 3½-1. Definitions.

As used in this chapter, the following words and terms shall have the meanings assigned herein:

(1)

Advanced Life Support (ALS): As used herein, the term "ALS" means any emergency medical transport or non-transport service which uses advanced life support techniques during transport, pursuant to rules promulgated by the state of Florida. The term ALS shall be inclusive of the provision of BLS services by an EMS provider.

(2)

Administrator: As used herein, the term "administrator" means the Broward County Administrator or designee.

(3)

Basic Life Support (BLS): As used herein, the term "BLS" means any emergency medical transport or non-transport service which uses basic life support techniques during transport, pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the state of Florida.

(4)

Board: As used herein, the term "board" means the Board of County Commissioners of Broward County, Florida.

(5)

County: As used herein, the term "county" means the incorporated and unincorporated areas of Broward County, Florida.

(6)

Certificate: As used herein, the term "certificate" means a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued pursuant to this chapter.

(7)

Communications Center: As used herein, the term "communications center" means the reporting and dispatching center designated by the county administrator.

(8)

Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Provider: As used herein, the term "EMS provider" means any person, firm, corporation, association or local government which possesses an ALS or BLS certificate and advertises or engages in the business of providing ALS or BLS services.

(9)

EMS Transport Vehicle: The term "EMS transport vehicle" or "ambulance" as used herein means any privately or publicly owned land, rotary-winged air or water vehicle that is designed, constructed, reconstructed, maintained, equipped, or operated for, and is used for, or intended to be used for, air, land, or water transportation of sick or injured persons who are in need of emergency medical attention during transport or who must be transported on a stretcher.

(10)

EMT: As used herein, the term "EMT" or "emergency medical technician" means any person who is trained in basic life support and who is certified to perform such procedures in emergency situations in accordance with Florida law.

(11)

Emergency Call: The term "emergency call" as used herein means the response of an EMS provider to the scene of a reported medical emergency under conditions that warrant travel with flashing lights and sirens operating pursuant to the request of the communications center, a public safety agency or as otherwise provided by rules and regulations to be promulgated pursuant to this chapter.

(12)

Nonemergency Medical Transportation Service: As used herein, means any privately or publicly owned service employing a land, air or water vehicle that is designed, constructed, reconstructed, maintained, equipped or operated for, and is used for, or intended to be used for, air, land or water transportation of persons who are confined to wheelchairs or stretchers and whose condition is such that these persons do not need, nor are likely to need, immediate medical attention during transport.

(13)

Patient: The term "patient" means any person who is in the need of emergency or nonemergency medical treatment or transportation.

(14)

Paramedic: The term "paramedic" as used herein means any person who possesses a valid paramedic certificate issued in accordance with Florida law.

(15)

Routine Transfer: As used herein, the term "routine transfer" means the transportation by ambulance of stretcher patients under nonemergency conditions pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the Board. A routine transfer shall refer to either an interfacility medical transfer between two facilities licensed by the state of Florida or a transfer that originates or terminates at a patient's residence. The provision of routine transfers is restricted exclusively to those EMS providers possessing a Class 2—ALS Transfer and/or Class 3—BLS Transport certificate of public convenience and necessity from the county and is limited to the provision of ALS and/or BLS services as authorized on the certificate.

(16)

Office of EMS: The term "office of EMS" means the Broward County Trauma Management Agency as described in the Broward County Administrative Code.

(17)

ALS Rescue Vehicle: The term "ALS rescue vehicle" as used in this chapter means any privately or publicly owned land, air or water vehicle that is designated [designed], constructed, reconstructed, maintained, equipped and used for conveying advanced life support equipment and certified paramedics to persons who are sick, injured or otherwise incapacitated.

(18)

Prehospital Air Ambulance Service: As used herein, the term "prehospital air ambulance service" means any publicly or privately owned service which operates rotary-winged aircraft in conjunction with a community emergency medical ALS or BLS first response system.

(19)

Air Ambulance: As used herein, the term "air ambulance" means any rotary-winged aircraft which is used in conjunction with a community emergency medical ALS or BLS first response system.

(20)

License: As used herein, the term "license" means a license issued to a nonemergency medical transportation service provider pursuant to this chapter.

(21)

Interfacility Medical Transfer: As used herein, the term "interfacility medical transfer" means the transportation of a patient between two facilities licensed by the state of Florida.

(22)

Response time : As used herein, "response time" means the interval of time between the moment the certificate holder's dispatch center receives a call requesting a response to the moment the certificate holder's ambulance arrives at the requested location of the pickup. Response time for interfacility or routine transfers shall mean the interval of time between such interfacility or routine transfer scheduled pickup time and the moment the certificate holder's ambulance arrives at the requested location of the pickup.

(Ord. No. 76-32, § 1, 7-20-76; Ord. No. 82-69, § 1, 12-16-82; Ord. No. 84-10, § 1, 2-16-84; Ord. No. 93-12, § 1, 6-8-93; Ord. No. 2002-24, § 1, 6-11-02; Ord. No. 2008-37, § 1, 9-9-08; Ord. No. 2016-34 , § 1, 11-29-16)