§ 11.8-13. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Advanced life support (ALS): Treatment of life-threatening medical emergencies through the use of techniques such as endotracheal intubation, the administration of drugs or intravenous fluids, telemetry, cardiac monitoring, and cardiac defibrillation for a qualified person, pursuant to Florida Statutes and Florida Administrative Code (FAC).

Advanced life support service: Any State of Florida-licensed agency providing advanced emergency medical transportation or nontransport services which uses advanced life support techniques.

Air ambulance service: Any publicly or privately owned service, licensed in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 401, Florida Statutes, which operates rotary wing air ambulances to transport persons requiring or likely to require medical attention during transport.

Alternative transportation services: 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 air, land, or water transportation of persons who are confined to stretchers, and whose condition is such that these persons do not need, nor are likely to need BLS or ALS medical treatment during transport. This service is also known as nonambulance, nonmedical stretcher transport services.

Ambulance or emergency medical services vehicle: Any private 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 transportation of sick or injured persons who are in need of BLS or ALS medical treatment during transportation.

Basic life support (BLS): Treatment of medical emergencies by a qualified person through the use of techniques such as patient assessment, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), cardiac defibrillation, splinting, obstetrical assistance, bandaging, administration of oxygen, and other techniques pursuant to Florida Statutes and FAC.

Basic life support service: Any State of Florida-licensed agency providing basic emergency medical transportation or nontransport services and uses only basic life support techniques.

Board of county commissioners: The Polk County Board of County Commissioners.

Certificate: The certificate of public convenience and necessity to be required under this article and applicable state law.

County: Polk County, Florida.

Division: The fire rescue division or the division which provides emergency medical services or any department or division designated by the county manager to perform the duties of the division stated herein.

Emergency medical condition: A medical condition manifesting itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity, which may include severe pain such that the absence of BLS or ALS medical treatment could reasonably be expected to result in any of the following:

(1)

Serious jeopardy to patient health, including a pregnant woman or fetus;

(2)

Serious impairment to bodily functions; or

(3)

Serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part.

Emergency medical services (EMS) ALS and BLS provider: Any person, firm, corporation, association or local government which possesses an ALS or BLS license and advertises or engages in the business of providing air or ground ALS or BLS services.

Emergency medical technician (EMT): A person certified by the department of health or the appropriate state agency who is authorized to perform basic life support, pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 401, Florida Statutes, and FAC.

Interfacility ALS or BLS ground transportation services: A State of Florida-licensed ALS or BLS transport service that provides medical care and transportation of a person who has been evaluated as a medically necessary transfer, pursuant to Florida Statutes.

License: A license issued pursuant to Chapter 401, Florida Statutes, by the State of Florida to persons providing BLS or ALS services.

Patient: Any person who is in need of emergency medical treatment or transportation.

Person: Any living human being, corporation, partnership, or other entity.

Prehospital: The out-of-hospital provision of ALS or BLS treatment and/or transport services to a patient who has an emergency medical condition.

(Ord. No. 12-029, § 3, 9-18-12)