§ 28-26. Definitions.

Advanced life support (ALS) means an ambulance service that includes the necessary equipment and staff to render advanced life support services (e.g. advanced airway procedures, defibrillation, medication administration).

Ambulance means any privately-owned motor vehicle that is specially designed, constructed, or modified and equipped with the intention to be used for and maintained or operated for the transportation on the streets and highways of this state for persons who are sick, injured, wounded or otherwise incapacitated or helpless.

Ambulance provider means an individual, firm, corporation or association who engages or professes to engage in the business or service of transporting patients in ambulances in non-emergency situations.

Approved means approved by the North Carolina Medical Care Commission pursuant to the latter's rules and regulations promulgated under North Carolina General Statutes 143B-165.

Basic life support (BLS) means an ambulance service that includes the necessary equipment and staff to render basic services (e.g. control of bleeding, delivery of babies, splinting fractures).

County means the County of Halifax Board of Commissioners or their designated representative.

Emergency medical services advisory board means a group of individuals appointed by the Halifax County Board of Commissioners to make recommendations to the emergency services director and the Halifax County Manager on Halifax County Emergency Services.

Emergency medical technician (EMT) 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 North Carolina Department of Human Resources, Office of Emergency Medical Services.

Emergency medical technician—Intermediate 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 Technician - Intermediate as defined by the United States Department of Transportation and has been certified as an Emergency Medical Technician - Intermediate by the North Carolina Department of Human Resources, Office of Emergency Medical Services.

Emergency medical technician—Paramedic 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 Technician - Paramedic as defined by the United States Department of Transportation and has been certified as an Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic by the North Carolina Department of Human Resources, Office of Emergency Medical Services.

Emergency services director means an individual employed by Halifax County to provide supervision and oversight for emergency management, emergency medical services, and central communications within Halifax County.

First responder means 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.

Franchise means a permit issued by the county to an owner for the operation of an ambulance service.

Franchisee means any owner having been issued a franchise by the county for the operation of an ambulance service.

License means any driver's license or permit to operate a motor vehicle issued under or granted by the laws of the State of North Carolina.

Medical necessity is defined according to Medicare and Medicaid Guidelines, and is established when the patient's condition is such that use of any other method of transportation is not in the patient's best interest. In any case, other means of transportation could not be utilized without endangering the individual's health. Ambulance transportation is not considered medically necessary when any other means of transportation can be safely utilized.

Medical responder means an individual who has completed a training program in emergency medical care and first aid approved by the North Carolina Department of Human Resources and has been certified as a Medical Responder by the North Carolina Department of Human Resources, Office of Emergency Medical Services.

Nonemergency transportation shall mean the operation of an ambulance for any purpose other than transporting emergency patients.

Operator shall mean a person in actual physical control of an ambulance which is in motion or has the engine running.

Owner shall mean any individual, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company or group of individuals acting together for a common purpose or organizations of any kind, including any governmental agency other than the United States.

Patient shall mean 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.

(Ord. of 5-5-97(1), § I; Ord. of 10-24-00(1), § I; Ord. of 6-6-2011, § I(1.1—1.21))