Agenda Item Title:
SECOND READING AND RECOMMENDATION OF ORDINANCE NO. 6167 AN ORDINANCE NARROWING THE MUNICIPAL LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR AMBULANCES BY AMENDING SECTIONS 5.16.010 and 5.16.020 OF THE RAPID CITY MUNICIPAL CODE.
Origination Group:
Legal & Finance Committee
Origination Meeting Date:
03/01/2017
Stage 2 Group Name:
Legal & Finance Committee
Stage 2 Meeting Date:
03/15/2017
City Council Hearing Date:
03/06/2017
City Council First Reading Date:
03/06/2017
City Council Second Reading Date:
03/20/2017
Staff Contact:
Joel Landeen, City Attorney
Agenda Item Summary:
The City’s current ordinance regulating ambulance services so broadly defines the terms “ambulance” and “patient” it could be argued that if you transport someone to the emergency room in your car you are an ambulance and have violated the ordinance. Many health care and long term care facilities in the City have vans and other means to transport their clients who do not need to be transported via a traditional ambulance. Technically, these would currently be in violation of the City ordinance. It would be expensive and inefficient to require that patients be transported via ambulance who do not need that level of care. The proposed ordinance draft narrows the definition of ambulance under City ordinance to a more traditional definition which closely reflects the definition in state law. The ordinance also provides for the FD approving alternative transport arrangements for patients at times when the FD is not able to provide transport within a reasonable amount of time. Finally, it authorizes the FD to enter into agreements with medical facilities regarding the transport of patients rather than handling the requests on a case by case basis.
Funding Source & Fiscal Impact (if applicable):
| Funding | Cost Center |
|---|---|
Recommendations:
Origination Recommendation Action:
Approve
Origination Recommendation Notes:
You can approve or deny. If you deny the ordinance amendment the City would continue to regulate virtually all “patient” transports thus making any wheelchair vans operated by medical facilities, nursing homes & private businesses illegal.