§ 2-13-59. Rights and duties granted by certification.

All certificate holders operating within the county shall comply with the following operating standards as applicable to the issued certificate:

(a)

Operate in conformance with this article, all federal and state laws, as well as applicable administrative codes;

(b)

No certificate issued pursuant to this article shall be assignable or transferable, except upon approval by the board in the same manner and subject to the same application process, applicable fee(s) and public hearing(s) for an original application for a certificate. For non-governmental entities, any majority transfer of shares of stock or interest of any person or operator that causes a change in the directors, officers, majority shareholders or managers of such person or operator shall be deemed a transfer or assignment as contemplated in this article;

(c)

Obtain and maintain a valid license with the Florida Department of Health for the classification of certificate issued by the county;

(d)

Keep such records as may be required by the federal or state government or by the board and make such records available to the public safety director for inspection recognizing that information that is protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Florida Information Protection Act (FIPA), as amended, may not be disclosed to the County unless an agreement addressing HIPAA and FIPA has been executed between the certificate holder and county. Operational and financial records shall be maintained for up to two (2) years beyond the end of a certificate holder's fiscal year;

(e)

Submit electronic patient care report (ePCR) data to Florida's Prehospital Emergency Medical Services Tracking and Reporting System;

(f)

Maintain a central place of business in the county where all records related to the certificate holder's operations within the county shall be available for inspection or audit by the county during normal business office hours recognizing that information that is protected by HIPAA and FIPA, as amended, may not be disclosed to the county unless an agreement addressing HIPAA and FIPA has been executed between the certificate holder and county;

(g)

Provide the public safety director with a current list of telephone numbers and addresses of responsible management personnel to be contacted in the event of emergencies;

(h)

Provide continuous, prompt and uninterrupted services to the extent authorized by the certificate(s);

(i)

Each permitted ambulance or air ambulance shall respond to all calls for service, as indicated by the Medical Priority Dispatching Software;

(j)

A certificate holder shall not self-dispatch to medical calls;

(k)

When present, Manatee County Emergency Medical Services (MCEMS) shall maintain medical authority on all medical and trauma scenes;

(l)

Providers of transport services shall load and transport patients without being subject to unreasonable delays and without regard to a patient's financial ability to pay;

(m)

Maintain a twenty-four-hour public access telephone number for receiving calls for service;

(n)

The transportation of more than one patient in one ambulance shall be prohibited, with the exception of transportation terms pursuant to a contract between a certificate holder and the county;

(o)

Certificate holders shall have direct two-way communications with a central dispatcher at all times. Radio communications shall be operated on a platform capable of communicating on the countywide radio system. Radio communications capability shall remain compliant for the duration of the certificate;

(p)

Electronically record all radio and telephonic service related conversations received through the communications center requesting ambulance service. Said recordings shall be maintained for a minimum of sixty (60) days. Copies of specific recordings shall be maintained for longer periods if requested by the public safety director;

(q)

Inform complainants of their right to redress unresolved grievances by providing the name, mailing address, and telephone number of the public safety director;

(r)

The certificate holder shall conduct a criminal background check upon hiring all drivers, emergency medical technicians, and paramedics and require that such persons notify the certificate holder of any criminal offense during their employment. All employees of the certificate holder shall meet the requirements set forth in Chapter 401, Florida Statutes, and Chapter 64J, Florida Administrative Code;

(s)

Comply with the conditions of the vehicle operating permit;

(t)

Each certificate holder shall submit and provide the following information to the public safety director upon amendment or update to the following:

(1)

A complete version of the certificate holder's medical and trauma transport protocols.

(2)

Documentation of academic credentials, the most current medical director contract, medical director's current Florida license, and a drug enforcement agency certification.

(u)

In addition, providers of ALS non-transport services shall also:

(1)

Utilize the county's EMS medical director;

(2)

Participate in EMS system quality assurance activities as directed by the county EMS medical director;

(3)

Comply with the county EMS medical director's credentialing standards for EMTs and paramedics;

(4)

Abide by the county's medical and trauma transport protocols and standard operating medical procedures promulgated by the county EMS medical director;

(5)

Utilize major medical equipment as approved by the county EMS Medical Director and medical protocols, to include cardiac monitors/defibrillators, medications, and cervical collars;

(6)

Utilize the same ePCR software as the public safety department to promote a seamless transmission of patient information;

(7)

Relinquish patient care to MCEMS, a county contracted provider or a county certified transport provider upon their arrival to the scene, unless otherwise directed by the charge paramedic or higher MCEMS medical authority;

(8)

Not submit a bill for service to a patient or the county for the cost of performing ALS non-transport services; and

(9)

Not use ambulances or other patient transport-capable vehicles when providing ALS non-transport services. Permitted vehicles shall consist of fire engines or fire suppression apparatus that are ordinarily used in the business of fire extinguishment or fire prevention services for the protection of life and property.

(Ord. No. 17-041 , § 3, 4-25-17)