§ 20-52. Levels of service; criteria and performance standards.

There shall be seven (7) levels of medical care or transportation service in the county. These are as follows:

(1)

Level 1. Alternative transportation. Providers who routinely transport 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. This service is also known as Paratransit. A license must be obtained from the county before engaging in this level of transportation service.

(2)

Level 2. Basic life support non-transport (BLS non-transport). Providers whose purpose is to provide on-the-scene assistance to the patient requiring emergency medical care. These providers do not routinely transport the patient. A certificate of public convenience and necessity must be obtained before engaging in this level of service.

(3)

Level 3. Basic life support transport (BLS transport). Providers who render BLS medical services and who routinely transport patients and render on-the-scene assistance to patients prior to transporting. A certificate of public convenience and necessity must be obtained from the county before engaging in this level of medical care.

(4)

Level 4. Advanced life support non-transport (ALS non-transport). Providers with capability of rendering ALS services, although not routinely transporting those persons receiving such services. A certificate of public convenience and necessity must be obtained from the county before engaging in this level of medical service.

(5)

Level 5. Advanced life support transport (ALS transport). Providers who render ALS medical services and who routinely transport their patients to a medical facility. A certificate of public convenience and necessity must be obtained from the county before engaging in this level of medical care. Certified providers who respond to requests for transportation will respond with an ALS vehicle.

(6)

Level 6. Prehospital air ambulance service. Any publicly or privately owned service which operates rotary-winged aircraft in conjunction with the county's emergency medical services system. A certificate of public convenience and necessity must be obtained from the county before engaging in this level of medical service.

(7)

Level 7. Interfacility transport service. Any publicly or privately-owned service which operates an ALS or BLS transport service to provide interfacility transport to and from medical facilities. These services must comply with Chapter 401, Florida Statutes. A certificate of public convenience and necessity must be obtained from the county before engaging in this level of medical care. These agencies shall not provide pre-hospital response unless requested by the county medical director or a licensed EMS provider or under an emergency response plan.

(Code 1965, § 12A-2; Ord. No. 81-4, § 3, 3-9-81; Ord. No. 83-34, § 3, 8-8-83; Ord. No. 92-9, § 2, 4-7-92; Ord. No. 96-24, § 1, 8-27-96; Ord. No. 2001-09, § 3, 5-1-01)