§ 16-94. Rights and duties by certification.

(a)

Acceptance of the certificate shall obligate the applicant to:

(1)

Provide continuous and uninterrupted services to the extent, and for the area, authorized by the certificate;

(2)

Provide services to adjacent areas or routes, when requested to do so by public safety agencies, in emergency situations;

(3)

Keep such records as may be required by the federal or state government, or by the board, pursuant to any rules and regulations adopted by resolution under this article and furnish or make such records available to the board, or county manager, or their designee, for inspection at reasonable time and places.

(b)

Every certificate holder shall keep accurate records or receipts from operations, operating and other expenses, capital expenditures and such other operating and patient information as may be required by the board.

(c)

Prompt service required. Every call for emergency ambulance service shall be answered promptly. Patients shall be loaded and transported without being subject to unreasonable delays. Those instances where there is a delayed response between receipt of an emergency call and dispatch of an ambulance shall be reported to the county manager with documentation of circumstances which delayed the response.

(d)

Twenty-four hour service. Every certificate holder shall be required to operate a minimum of two ambulances on immediate call at all times. Further, every certificate holder shall be required to maintain a third ambulance on a standby basis which will be available on notification of need. The minimum number of vehicles requirement of this subsection does not apply to those operators holding a bona fide certificate at the time this article becomes effective, but does apply to any new applicant.

(e)

All certificate holders shall file with the application a schedule of proposed rates for transportation or treatment of patients. All initial rates and subsequent rate changes are subject to review and approval of the board.

(f)

Daily manifests. Every operator shall provide each driver with a daily manifest upon which shall be recorded the time, place or origin, destination, and charges for each trip made and such other operating and patient information as may be required by the board. Every operator shall retain and preserve all daily manifests for at least two years, and such manifests shall be available for inspection by the board upon request of an authorized county official.

(g)

Attendant required. Each ambulance shall have, in addition to its driver, an attendant who shall continuously attend the patient both at the scene of the accident or medical emergency and during transport.

(h)

Suitable vehicle. Each ambulance shall be suitable for transportation of patients from the standpoint of health, sanitation, and safety and shall be maintained in suitable premises. Each ambulance shall conform in all aspects to the most recent design criteria as established by the U.S. Department of Transportation except that the minimal overall internal dimensions of the patient area shall be as set forth in F.S. § 401.26.

(i)

Maintain liability insurance in such amounts and with such coverage as the board may require upon issuance of the certificate.

(j)

Operate in conformance with all federal, state, or local laws or ordinances, and all rules and regulations, resolutions or policies thereunder and any conditions or limitations imposed by the board upon issuance of the certificate.

(k)

File an application for renewal of its certificate, or a notice of its intent not to seek renewal of its certificate, at least 120 days prior to its expiration.

(Ord. No. 01-01, § 8, 1-16-2001)