§ 6.60.010. Definitions.

As used in this chapter, the following words and phrases have been patterned after the meaning ascribed in the National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP) Medical Director's Handbook, hereafter referred to as the "NAEMSP glossary." In particular, the following terms shall have the following meaning:

"Ambulance" means a vehicle certified by the California Highway Patrol or other applicable state authorities as meeting specifications for transporting and caring for patients. This term generally refers to a wheeled vehicle, but may include boats, planes, helicopters and other specialized vehicles. A type I ambulance consists of a truck cab-chassis with a modular body that allows for replacement of the chassis and reuse of the modular body. A type II ambulance consists of a standard van-forward control-integral cab-body unit. A type III ambulance is a specialty van with forward control and usually with the ability to walk through from front.

"Ambulance service area" means those ambulance service areas established within the county and designated in individual county ambulance service provider agreements.

"Ambulance service provider" means any private or public entity or person operating, owning or controlling one or more ambulances, in a contractual agreement with the County of San Luis Obispo.

"Board" means the board of supervisors of the county.

"Central dispatch" means the San Luis Obispo County medical communication system (MED-COM) dispatch point.

"County" means the County of San Luis Obispo.

"Dispatch time" means the interval from when a request for an ambulance is received by central dispatch until the ambulance is notified.

"Emergency call" means a request for assistance that activates the EMS system. It may come through a variety of mechanisms: Voice, regular telephone, 911 or radio.

"Emergency rescue vehicle" means any privately or publicly owned motor vehicle, boat, aircraft, that is specially constructed, modified, equipped or arranged, and operated, that would aid in life saving activities in the event of a sudden, generally unexpected occurrence demanding immediate action.

"EMT-D" means emergency medical technician-defibrillator; an EMT-I with additional training to perform cardiac defibrillation on unconscious, pulseless and anemic patients, as defined by 22 California Code of Regulations Section 100064.

"EMT-I" means an emergency medical technician I as defined in Health and Safety Code Section 1797.80 and 22 California Code of Regulations Section 100063.

"EMT-P" means emergency medical technician-paramedic; an EMT-A with additional training to the full advanced life support level, as defined in Health and Safety Code Section 1797.84 and 22 California Code of Regulations Section 100138.

"First responder" means the first individual to arrive at the scene certified to render medical care in response to an emergency call.

"Local EMS agency" means the county health department.

"MED-COM" means the radio, telephone and dispatch system equipment that makes up the San Luis Obispo County medical communications system.

"Patient" means a wounded, injured, sick, invalid, convalescent, infirm or otherwise incapacitated person requiring immediate medical attention and/or presenting a significant probability of requiring medical care while being transported, as judged by the most highly medically qualified person at the scene.

"Remote area" means areas of the county which have a population density of nine persons or less per square mile.

Response code:

(1)

"Code I" means an ambulance is to arrive at its destination at the earliest convenience.

(2)

"Code II" means an ambulance is to proceed to its destination as rapidly as possible, obeying traffic laws.

(3)

"Code III" means an ambulance is authorized to use a red warning light and siren.

"Response time" means the interval of time from ambulance notification until the ambulance is at the scene.

"Rural area" means all definable community areas of the county with a population of less than two thousand five hundred and population density of ten to ninety nine persons per square mile.

"Urban area" means all definable community areas of the county with a population of two thousand five hundred to five hundred thousand and a population density of one hundred or more persons per square mile.

(Ord. 2629 § 1 (part), 1993)