§ 18-59. Exemptions.

(a)

Any vehicle rendering services as an ambulance in the event of a major catastrophe or emergency when ambulance with permits based in the locality of the catastrophe or emergency as defined in the statewide mutual aid agreement are incapacitated or insufficient in number to render the services needed and any ambulance owned and operated by the federal government shall be exempt from the provisions of this article.

(b)

Each certificate holder, and its employees, including paramedics and emergency medical technicians, shall comply with the following:

(1)

Maintain at each place of business a copy of the standard operating procedures which the service provider will use to give general specific instruction to its personnel concerning the nature of their duties and responsibilities. These procedures shall be reviewed by the public safety director prior to the effective date of the certificate.

(2)

Comply with all lawful directives of the public safety director, the fire chief and the medical director involving any medical protocols and training directives not preempted by the state.

(3)

Provide continuous and uninterrupted service within the service area.

(4)

Maintain the minimum number of vehicles determined by the public safety director and the certificate holder's medical director to be appropriate considering the population and geographical distance of the service area, but in any event not be less than one fully staffed operating vehicle.

(5)

Ensure that its vehicles are driven in a safe and lawful manner at all times.

(6)

Keep posted at all business locations a copy of the certificate, including the approved rate schedule. The certificate holder may adjust the rate schedule without board approval; however, the certificate holder shall maintain the adjusted rate for one year and shall notify the public safety director in writing of a rate change at least 30 days prior to the effective date of the rate change.

(7)

Operate in compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules, and regulations.

(8)

Provide monthly copies of vehicle runs and radio logs to the public safety director, to the extent permitted by law. The monthly reports shall be due on or before the 15th day of the month for the previous month.

(9)

On or before October 1 of each year provide annual proof of insurance in the amounts required pursuant to F.A.C. ch. 9J-1.

(10)

On or before October 1 of each year provide a current list of all vehicles, vehicle drivers and crews and their certificate levels.

(11)

Use emergency lights and sirens only for properly authorized emergency situations in compliance with state and local law enforcement policy. A certificate holder must notify the county 911 communications center when emergency lights and sirens are used in the county.

(12)

If the certificate holder has more than two transport vehicles and as long as the county is the Medicaid administrator, within 90 days of the issuance of a certificate of public convenience and necessity for classes A—D or F, the certificate holder shall provide proof that is it is an approved Medicaid transportation provider. Thereafter, on or before October 1 of each year, as long as the county remains the Medicaid administrator, the certificate holder shall provide proof of its current approved Medicaid transportation provider status.

(Code 1982, § 1-12.5-12; Ord. No. 96-04, pt. A, 2-20-1996; Ord. No. 08-011, pt. F, 3-15-2008)