§ 15-142. Definitions.

When used in this division, the following terms shall mean as follows. The definitions set forth in Section 401.23, Florida Statutes, as amended, are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Advanced life support means treatment of life-threatening medical emergencies through the use of techniques such as endotracheal intubation, the administration of drugs, intravenous fluids, telemetry, cardiac monitoring, and cardiac defibrillation, by a qualified person, pursuant to rules of the department.

Advanced life support service means any emergency medical transport service which provides a full range of services and interfacility transfers, utilizing advanced life support techniques as defined in this division and Chapter 401, Florida Statutes.

Advanced life support service/fire rescue means any fire department which provides advanced life support services, but which does not routinely transport those persons receiving such services.

Advanced life support service license means any authorization to provide advanced life support services pursuant to the provisions of this division and Chapter 401, Florida Statutes.

Air medical transportation service means a non-military service based or maintained in the county with the intention of providing transportation by aircraft for emergency medical patients as a matter of established operational policy.

Board means the Board of County Commissioners of Okaloosa County.

Certificate means a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the board of county commissioners.

County means all incorporated or unincorporated areas within the territorial limits of Okaloosa County, Florida.

Department means the Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services.

Emergency medical services means emergency medical services providers within the county, whether such service providers are publicly or privately owned or operated.

Emergency medical services vehicle means any privately or publicly owned land, air, or water vehicle that is designed, constructed, reconstructed, maintained, equipped, or operated for and is used for, or intended to be used for air, land, or water response or transportation of sick, injured, or otherwise incapacitated persons who are in need of emergency medical attention

First responder means an individual, agency organization or other entity which routinely responds to pre hospital emergency medical service incidents.

Interfacility transfer means the ambulance transportation of a patient between two facilities licensed under Chapter 395 or Chapter 400, Florida Statutes, pursuant to this division or Chapter 401, Florida Statutes.

License means any license or transfer of license issued by the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services pursuant to Chapter 401, Florida Statutes.

Mutual aid agreement means a written agreement between two or more entities whereby the signing parties agree to lend aid to one another under conditions specified in the agreement and as sanctioned by the governing body of each affected county.

Non-emergency medical transportation service means any privately or publicly owned service employing land, air, or water vehicle that is designed, constructed, reconstructed, maintained, equipped, or operated for, and is used for, or intended to be used for, interfacility transfer, or facility to home, or home to facility, transfer of persons who are confined to stretchers and whose condition is such that these persons do not need emergency response, emergency transport, or emergency medical care. It does not include the transportation of patients who have accessed the 9-1-1 or other emergency response system to summon emergency medical services provider.

Operator means any person engaged in business as the owner, proprietor, purchaser, or lessee of ambulances, emergency medical services vehicles, air ambulances, or other vehicles intended to be used for advanced life support services, emergency services, or non-emergency medical transportation service.

Patient means an individual who is ill, sick, injured, wounded, or otherwise incapacitated and is in need of, or can be expected to need medical care; an individual being the target beneficiary of the services covered herein.

Permit means any authorization issued pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 401, Florida Statutes, for a vehicle to be operated as a transport or nontransport vehicle providing advanced life support or as a non-emergency medical transportation vehicle.

Person means any individual, firm, association, partnership, corporation, local government, or any other group, combination, or entity acting as a unit.

Rules and regulations means those specific requirements and guidelines which are promulgated and periodically revised by the board.

Vehicle includes aircraft, landcraft, and watercraft.

(Ord. No. 93-45, § 2, 9-28-93)