Ordinance 1476ORDINANCE NO.�-�
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON, CREATING
A NEW CHAPTER OF THE EDMONDS CITY CODE, CHAPTER 4.08,
PROVIDING FOR THE LICENSING OF AMBULANCE OPERATORS, DRIVERS
AND ATTENDANTS; THE INVESTIGATION AND HEARING OF APPLICATIONS,
SUSPENSIONS AND REVOICATIONS OF LICENSES; ESTABLISHING FEES;
REQUIRING INSURANCE COVERAGE; SETTING STANDARDS FOR EQUIPMENT;
PROHIBITING INTERCEPTION OF CERTAIN POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT
RADIO CALLS; REQUIRING WRITTEN REPORTS AND OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC
LAWS; AND PROVIDING PENALTIES.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON DO ORDAIN
AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 4.08.010 DEFINITIONS, The following definitions are adopted for the
purpose of -this chapter:
a. Ambulance: any vehicle intended, constructed and/or equipped for
the transportation of injured or ill persons.
b. Ambulance Operator: any person, firm or organization engaging in the
transporting of ill or injured persons, or who, by advertising, re-
presentation or otherwise holds himself out as engaging in such
activity.
c. Attendant:. a trained and/or qualified individual responsible for the
operation of an ambulance and the care of the patient or patients
whether or not the attendant also serves as driver.
d. Attendant -Driver; an individual who is qualified as an attendant
and a driver.
e. City: the City of Edmonds.
f. Driver: an individual who drives an ambulance.
g. Operating an ambulance: the operation of any ambulance which:
1. Is stationed within the city;
2. Is dispatched from within or without the corporate limits of the
city and repeatedly or customarily makes trips for hire within
the city to pick up patients for fares or fees; or
3. Makes any trips into the city for that purpose after occasional
or repeated advertising within the city, of such service, pro-
vided that the provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any
ambulance which shall pass the city or through the city, in the
delivery of patients picked up at points beyond the corporate
limits of the city.
h. Patient: an individual who is injured, ill or otherwise incapacitated.
SECTION 4.08.020 APPLICATION FOR AMBULANCE OPERATOR LICENSE AND APPLICATION FEE.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to engage in the
business of "ambulance operator" or "operating an ambulance" within the
city without first obtaining and being the holder of a valid ambulance
service business license. Applications for an ambulance service busi-
ness license within the city shall be made to the city council upon
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forms to be prepared under its direction and available at the office of
the Chief of Police. Application hereunder shall be accompanied by a
license application fee of $100.00. In the event said application is
denied by the city council, 75% of the application fee shall be refunded.
Such applications shall contain the following information:
a. Name and address of applicant, and if a firm, partnership, corpora-
tion, association, company or organization of any kind, the names
and residence address of all officers and persons owning a financial
interest therein.
b. Business name and address from which business will be operated.
co A list of all vehicles to be used in connection with business, with
make, model, motor number, year, current license number and color
scheme of each vehicle.
d. The name and residence address of all personnel to be engaged as
employees in the operation of the business, with designation of the
position and qualifications of each employee.
e. Whether or not the applicant or any officer or employee has been con-
victed of the violation of any federal, state, or municipal law, and
whether or not any person with whom they have been associated or
employed has claims or judgments against them for damages resulting
from the negligent operation of a motor vehicle.
f. The financial ability and the responsibility of the applicant, his
ability to respond in damages in the event damages to persons or
damages to property by reasons of the negligent operation of an ambu-
lance, the amount and type of any and all insurance carried for busi-
ness purposes and proof that the insurance is in force for period of
application. Proof shall be deposited with City Clerk.
g. The facts showing the demand for such service.
h. The experience that the applicant and/or employees has had in tender-
ing such service and the period of time that he/they has rendered it
in this or any other city.
i. And any other information as may be required by the city council.
SECTION 4.08.030 INVESTIGATION AND/OR HEARING ON LICENSE APPLICATION. The
city council shall make or cause to be made such investigation and/or
hearing as it may consider necessary, as to any application for license,
and whether or not the applicant is fit and qualified to conduct such
business. In determining whether or not a license should be issued, the
dity council shall considerz
a. Permanence and quality of service offered by the applicant and the
experience applicant has had in rendering such service.
b. Information provided pursuant to Section 4.08.020f.
c. The type, nature, quality and condition of equipment and ambulances
to be used.
d. The evidence in any investigation, inquiry, or hearing may be taken
by the city council or by any agent or employee to whom such inves-
tigation, inquiry or hearing has been assigned by the city council.
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Every finding, opinion, and order made by such agent or employee,
as above specified, pursuant to such investigation, inquiry or
hearing,'shall be advisory only to the city council.
ea If the city council finds that the applicant is not fit and proper
to conduct such a business, then the license application shall be
denied.
SECTION 4.08.040. ISSUANCE OF LICENSE AND FEES THEREFOR, Upon approval by the
city council of the license application, a license shall be issued to the
applicant by the city clerk, provided that: An annual license fee of
$100.00 is paid for the calendar year, or pro rata portion thereof, to
the city which license will expire December 31 of each year and become
due January 1 of the year following.
SECTION 4.08.050. AMBULANCE INSPECTION, The chief of police shall inspect all
ambulances prior to issuance or renewal of any license as herein provided
to insure compliance of this chapters
ae The licensee shall pay to the city an annual inspection fee of $25.00
for each ambulance used or leased.
be A valid ambulance inspection certificate issued by the city shall be
prominently displayed in each vehicle.
co Each ambulance shall, at all times when in use as such:
1. Contain equipment conforming with the standards, requirements and
regulations provided for herein, which equipment shall be main-
tained in good and operable condition for such use;
20 Currently comply with all applicable laws and local ordinances
relating to vehicle equipment and licensing and to health, san-
itation and safety;
3. Be equipped with such lights, sirens and special markings to
designate it as an ambulance; and
4. Shall be subject to inspection by the police and/or fire depart-
ments at all reasonable times to assure compliance with this
chapter.
SECTION 4.08.060. INSURANCE. No license or inspection certificates shall be
issued under this chapter nor shall any ambulance be operated in this
city, unless there is at all times in full force and effect insurance
coverage issued by an insurance company licensed to do business in the
State of Washington, for each and every ambulance to be operated under
said license, providing for public liability insurance in the amounts of
$100,OOO.00 for personal injuries to one person or $300,OOO.00 for more
than one person arising out of each accident or occurrence and property
damage insurance in the amount of $25,OOO.00 for each accident or
occurrences Evidence of insurance policies for the full term of the
license shall be submitted to the city clerk at time of application for
licensee Such evidence shall be a certificate from the licensee's in-
surance company that the insurance exists and that it will not be can-
celled without five (5) days written notice of cancellation previously
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given to the city clerk of the city.
SECTION 4.08.070. APPLICATION FOR AND LICENSE OF DRIVERS AND ATTENDANTS. Appli-
cation for licenses under this Section shall be made upon forms prepared
by the city and obtained from the police department. No person shall
drive or serve as an attendant of an ambulance licensed hereunder with-
out first procuring a license from the city. A license shall be issued
by the police department when it is demonstrated that the applicant:
ao Has a current and valid State of Washington motor vehicle operator's
license;
bo Is 18 (for attendant) or 21 (for driver) years of age or over and has
not forfeited bail or been convicted of any moving traffic violations
for the preceding five years; (The applicant must submit to finger-
printing by the police department and shall submit with the applica-
tion for license a full face photograph in triplicate, one to be
part of applicant's license if issued, one for police department
files, and the other shall be filed with application for license);
co Has provided a medical certificate that he is of sound physique with
good eyesight and not subject to epilspsy, vertigo, heart trouble
or any other infirmity of body and mind which might render him unfit
for the safe operation of the ambulance;
do Is able to speak, read and write the English language;
eo Is clean of dress and person and not addicted to the use of intox-
icating liquors or narcotics, and has not been convicted or for-
feited bail for use of intoxicants or narcotics;
fe Has demonstrated by actual driving in the presence of a police officer
that he has proficiency in driving in emergency situations (drivers
only); and
ge Has an advanced first aid card, as issued by the American Red Cross
or Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.
SECTION 4.08.080. DRIVER'S AND ATTENDANT LICENSE FEES. The license fee for
drivers and attendants shall be $5.00 per year for each person, payable
on or before the 15th day of January of each year. Driver's and atten-
dants' license shall not be transferable. Replacement fee for damages
or lost licenses shall be $1.50.
SECTION 4.08.090. REVOCATION OF DRIVERS AND ATTENDANTS LICENSE. Any drivers
and attendants license issued under the provisions of this ordinance
shall be automatically revoked on the occurrence of any event which
would have disqualified the licensee from originally acquiring the
license, and/or the conviction of any of the following crimes: any
law involving the manufacture, sale or transporting of intoxicating
liquors; any law involving prostitution, pawn brokerage or indecent
exposure; any law involving lewd or immoral acts; or any felony.
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SECTION 4.08..100. STANDARDS FOR AMBULANCE EQUIPMENT. a. Each ambulance shall
be equipped at all times with all equipment required for vehicles of
similar size and use by the State of Washington, and shall be furnished
with at least the following special equipment which shall be maintained in
a workable and usable condition:
1. (1) Portable resuscitator
2. (1) Oxygen tank with regulator, liter gauge and mask
3. (1) Collapsible stretcher
4. (1) Urinal
5. (2) Blankets for each stretcher
6. (2) Sand bags (5 lb.)
7. (1) Emesis basin
8. (1) Adult size leg splint
9. (1) Child size leg splint
10. (1) Bed pan
11. (2) Restraint straps
12. (2) Plastic covers for patients
13. (1) Spare size E oxygen tank
14. (1) Non -folding stretcher (4 wheel gurny) 2 level
15. (1) Robinson orthopedic stretcher
16. (4) Changes of pillow cases, sheets & towels
17. An attendant's bag which shall contain the following:
(1) Bandage shears
(2) Flashlights (1 regular and 1 pencil type)
(1) Small airway
(1) Large airway
(6) Rolls 3" bandages
(2) Rolls 1" adhesive tape
(4) Arm splints
(6) Tongue depressors
(1) Infant's oxygen face cone
(2) Cravats
(3) 1811 pieces surgical rubber tubing
(10) 4x4 gauze pack
( 2 ) Rolls 12T1 or 211 adhesive tape
All linens shall be changed after each use and laundered before re -use.
After being used in a communicable disease, blankets shall be dry-cleaned.
Blankets shall be kept in a clean, sanitary condition.
b. Each ambulance operating under the provisions of this chapter shall be
equipped with a two-way radio operating on an independent radio frequency
authorized by the Federal Communications Commission.
1. Such radio communication shall be between each such vehicle and the
operator's headquarters.
2. The operator's headquarters shall be staffed on a 24-hour basis, with
a telephone dispatcher and a licensed radio dispatcher qualified to
process any and all calls. The telephone operator and the radio dis-
patcher may be the same person.
SECTION 4.08.110. UNLAWFUL FIRE AND POLICE CALL INTERCEPTION. It shall be un-
lawful for any unlicensed ambulance operator, driver, attendant or other
agent to intercept short wave radio fire or police calls or otherwise for
the purpose of going to the scene of an accident.
SECTION 4.08.120. TRANSPORTING A PATIENT. Each ambulance, while transporting a
patient, shall be manned by an uniformed attendant and an uniformed driver
both of whom shall carry a valid and current license pursuant to this
chapter. It shall be the duty of the driver of an ambulance in. an
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emergency case to discharge any injured, ill, or deceased patient at the
hospital nearest the place where the patient is picked up unless other-
wise directed by the ill or injured person, a physician, or the patient's
relatives.
SECTION 4.08.1.30. REPORTS. Each ambulance operator hereunder shall maintain
accurate records upon such forms as may be provided or prescribed by, and
containing such information as may be required by the police department
concerning the transportation of each patient (whether living or deceased)
within the city, or from one place herein to another place within or
beyond its limits. Such records shall be available for the inspection by
the police department at any reasonable time and copies thereof shall be
filed by the ambulance operator within 24 hours upon request by the chief
of police.
SECTION 4.08.140. OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC LAWS, ORDINANCES AND REGULATIONS.
a. The driver of an ambulance, when responding to an emergency call or
while transporting a patient, may exercise the privilege set forth
in this section, but subject to the conditions herein stated, and
only when such driver has reasonable grounds to believe that an
emergency in fact exists requiring the exercise of such privileges:
1. Park or stand, irrespective of the otherwise applicable pro-
vision of law, ordinance or regulation;
2. Proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign, but only after
slowing down as may be necessary for safe operation;
3. Exceed the maximum speed limits permitted by law, ordinance or
regulation so long as he does not endanger life or property; and
4. Disregard laws, ordinances or regulations governing direction or
movement or turning in specified directions.
b. The exemptions herein granted shall apply only when such ambulance is
making use of audible and visual signals meeting the requirements of
law for emergency vehicles.
c. The foregoing provisions shall not relieve the driver of an ambulance
from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons,
nor shall such provisions protect the driver from the consequences of
any reckless disregard for the safety of others.
SECTION 4.08.150. REVOCATION OF AMBULANCE OPERATOR LICENSE. In the event of a
violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, an ambulance operator
license herein granted may be revoked or suspended by the city council.
No revocation or suspension shall be made by the city council except after
a public hearing by the city council which hearing shall be held only
after notice to the licensee of the time and place of such hearing. Notice
shall be conclusively established by certified or registered mail sent to
the address shown on the application and/or license.
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SECTION 4.08.160. PENALTIES Any person, firm, corporation or other organiza-
tion who shall violate any of the provisions of this chapter shall upon
conviction thereof be punished by a fine or be imprisoned or both such
fine and imprisonment, as provided in Section 5.12.170 of the Edmonds
City Code.
SECTION 4.08.170. SEVERABILITY. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause,
phrase or portion of this chapter is for any reason held invalid or un-
constitutional by any court, such portion or portions shall be deemed a
separate, distinct and independent provision and such holding shall not
affect the validity of the remaining portions hereof.
APPROVED
H. H. HARRISON
MAYOR
ATTEST;
_4kMVAARNEY MO
CITY CLERK
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK; March 10, 1970
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL; March 17, -1970
PUBLISHED; March 25, 1970
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