§ 9¾-8. Emergency operations.

(a)

EMS providers who hold a valid permit issued by the city shall operate on a rotation basis for emergency medical calls received through the 911 system. Central dispatch serves as the public safety answering point (PSPA) for 911 calls initiated in the city response area. The method of rotation shall be from 0700 Sunday morning to 0700 Sunday morning of the following week. The method of rotation may be changed at any time it is deemed necessary by the city fire chief.

(b)

When a 911 call is received at the PSAP, and the caller requests a specific EMS provider that holds a current EMS providers permit, the requested provider shall be notified of the call regardless of the rotation. In the event an EMS provider receives a 911 or emergency private call and is unable to respond immediately, the EMS provider shall be responsible for immediately forwarding the call to another provider that holds a current city EMS provider permit.

(c)

EMS providers will have a maximum response time of seven minutes and fifty-nine seconds (7:59) to all priority one medical calls ninety-five (95) percent of the time. The official time will begin when city fire department is notified of the priority one call and end when the ambulance is on scene with MICU transport capabilities (paramedic on scene). However, if the call has been triaged by an emergency medical dispatcher and meet current EMD guidelines of a non-life threatening medical emergency, the call can be reclassified by the EMS providers dispatch as a priority two call.

(d)

EMS providers will have a maximum response time of ten minutes fifty-nine seconds (10:59) to all priority two medical calls ninety-five (95) percent of the time. The official time will begin when the city fire department is notified of the call and end when the ambulance is on scene with MICU transport capabilities (paramedic on scene).

(e)

All response times will be computed on a calendar month basis.

(f)

The city fire chief shall determine compliance with the 95% requirements on priority one and priority two calls. If a provider is found to be out of compliance with minimum response times specified in this chapter, the provider will be notified of the findings. The EMS provider will immediately take all steps necessary to remedy these problems, including but not limited to, increasing the number of in-service ambulances available.

(g)

In determining whether a run to a call is exempt from the response time standard, the following factors shall include, but are not limited to:

(1)

Any calls where information on medical need is not immediately available. (This situation exists when an ambulance is not originally dispatched after the PSAP receives the call, but is subsequently requested by on-scene police, fire, or public safety personnel).

(2)

Ambulances that are unable to proceed due to an intersection blocked by a train or other unforeseeable traffic stoppages. (Ambulances will immediately notify their dispatch and city fire department when an ambulance is blocked by a train and when the train is cleared and travel resumes).

(3)

In the event of MCIs, the initial responding ambulance will meet required response times. All others shall be accountable to the medical officer on scene for the type of response needed.

(4)

Any severe weather conditions including dense fog, heavy rain or flooding, snow, or ice, except if inclement weather was predicted sufficiently in advance that levels of preparedness should have been increased and such steps not taken.

(5)

Any situations where the dispatch center received false or inaccurate information or was unable to obtain adequate response information.

(6)

Calls for standby at fire service calls.

(7)

Calls for standby at law enforcement incidents.

(h)

The EMS provider's senior paramedic on a medical scene shall determine if the patient requires ALS care (EMT-I), or MICU care (EMT-P) for the transport of a patient to an emergency medical facility. This will be the sole responsibility of the EMS provider's senior paramedic and reflect the company's medical director's guidelines via standing protocols or online medical direction. At no time shall the senior paramedic or other EMS personnel delay the transport of sick or injured patients stable or unstable to allow for another ambulance to transport.

(i)

The incident command system will be used on all mass casualty incidents (MCI). The incident commander will be the most senior firefighter, or police officer on scene. All emergency medical, fire, police, and public safety personnel will report to the incident commander or his/her designee for accountability. At no time will any emergency response personnel enter the scene without notifying the incident commander or his/her designee of their presence.

(j)

The EMS provider that initially responds to an MCI shall provide a liaison (medical officer) to the incident commander to assist with coordinating EMS response and transport.

(k)

The medical officer shall not be involved with direct patient care and shall be available to the incident commander at all times.

(l)

The medical officer shall be responsible for accountability of EMS personnel, number of patients, types of transportation needed, and the status of local emergency medical facilities. The medical officer may delegate responsibilities to other EMS staff on scene, but will remain responsible to the incident commander for EMS operations for that incident.

(m)

EMS providers shall respond, at minimum, an ALS ambulance priority two to all known structure fires or incidents that could be hazardous to life or health. Central dispatch shall notify the EMS provider on rotation the location, type, and any known response hazards that may exist at the scene of the stand-by.

(n)

Ambulances that respond to a scene designated as a stand-by, should stage in an area that would enable the EMS personnel to render speedy medical attention and transport if needed. These ambulances shall not stage in any area that would prevent transporting immediately from the scene or interfere with emergency operations.

(o)

If the EMS provider is unable to respond to a stand-by, the incident commander shall be notified via central dispatch. The EMS provider shall make every effort to supply an ambulance in an expedient manner.

(p)

EMS providers that respond to a stand-by may at any time request the ambulance be returned to service when it is deemed necessary by the EMS provider.

(q)

EMS vehicles responding to emergency calls within the city response area shall be operated in accordance with state traffic laws pertaining to emergency vehicles as outlined in chapter 546 of the Texas Transportation Code, as currently defined and subsequently amended. The EMS provider shall ensure all employees know and understand these traffic laws.

(Ord. No. 04-05, § 1, 8-23-04)