77-1. Definitions.
The following terms are defined for purposes of this Chapter:
- Ambulance - Any privately or publicly owned motor vehicle, aircraft or vessel that is specially designed, constructed or modified and equipped and is intended to be used for and is maintained or operated for the transportation on the streets or highways, waterways or airways of this County of persons who are sick, injured, wounded or otherwise incapacitated or helpless and that is permitted by the Department of Human Resources, Division of Facility Services, Office of Emergency Medical Services, and any vehicle meeting the definition of an "EMS nontransporting vehicle" under Title 10A of the North Carolina Administrative Code (currently found in 10A NCAC 13P.0109), as it may be amended from time to time.
- Ambulance Provider License - The legal authorization issued by NCOEMS for a person, firm, corporation or association to operate an ambulance service within a specified geographical service area which includes the areas of Henderson County that a franchisee is authorized to serve under the terms of the franchise.
- Ambulance Service - A public or privately owned enterprise that is engaged in the transportation of patients to emergency and/or nonemergency medical facilities.
- Approved - Approved by the North Carolina Medical Care Commission pursuant to the latter's rules and regulations promulgated under N.C.G.S. 143B-165.
- Backup Ambulance Service - The system of personnel and equipment meeting the same criteria as ambulance service but not normally dispatched at first-call response.
- County - The County of Henderson Board of Commissioners or designated representative.
- Dispatcher - A person who is available at all times to receive requests for emergency services, to dispatch emergency services and to advise the city police, County Sheriff and emergency medical facilities of any existing or threatened emergencies.
- Emergency And Emergency Transportation Service - The operation of an ambulance in order to provide medical care and transportation of a patient who is in need of immediate medical treatment in order to prevent loss of life or further aggravation of physiological or psychological illness or injury.
- Emergency Medical Technician - An individual who has completed a training program in emergency medical care at least equal to the National Standard Training Program for emergency medical technicians as defined by the United States Department of Transportation and has been certified as an emergency medical technician by NCOEMS.
- First Responder - The first dispatched medical or rescue aid to arrive at the scene and provide emergency medical assistance to stabilize the patient while waiting for further medical aid and/or transport.
- Franchise - A permit issued by the County to a person for the operation of an ambulance service.
- Franchisee - Any person having been issued a franchise by the County for the operation of an ambulance service.
- License - Any driver's license or permit to operate a motor vehicle issued under or granted by the laws of the State of North Carolina.
- Medical Responder- An individual who has completed a training program in emergency medical care and first aid approved by the North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services (NCOEMS) and has been certified as a Medical Responder NCOEMS.
- Nonemergency Transportation Services - The operation of an ambulance for any purpose other than an emergency.
- Operator - A person in actual physical control of an ambulance which is in motion or which has the engine running.
- Owner - Any person or entity who or which owns and operates an ambulance service.
- Patient - An individual who is sick, injured, wounded or otherwise incapacitated or helpless such that the need for some medical assistance might be anticipated.
- Person - Any individual, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company, group of individuals acting together for a common purpose or organization of any kind, including any governmental agency other than the United States.
- Rescue - Situations where the victim cannot escape an area through the normal exit or under their own power.
