10A NCAC 13P .0217       MEDICAL AMBULANCE/EVACUATION BUS: VEHICLE AND EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

(a)  A Medical Ambulance/Evacuation bus is a multiple passenger vehicle configured and medically equipped for emergency and non-emergency transport of at least three stretcher bound patients with traumatic or medical conditions.

(b)  To be permitted as a Medical Ambulance/Evacuation Bus, a vehicle shall have:

(1)           a non-light penetrating sliding curtain installed behind the driver from floor-to-ceiling and from side-to-side to keep all light from the patient compartment from reaching the driver's area during vehicle operation at night;

(2)           patient care equipment and supplies as defined in the "North Carolina College of Emergency Physicians: Standards for Medical Oversight and Data Collection." The equipment and supplies shall be clean, in working order, and secured in the vehicle;

(3)           five-pound fire extinguishers mounted in a quick release bracket located inside the patient compartment at the front and rear of the vehicle that are either a dry chemical or all-purpose type and have pressure gauges;

(4)           monitor alarms installed inside the patient compartment at the front and rear of the vehicle to warn of unsafe buildup of carbon monoxide;

(5)           the name of the EMS provider permanently displayed on each side of the vehicle;

(6)           reflective tape affixed to the vehicle such that there is reflectivity on all sides of the vehicle;

(7)           emergency warning lights and audible warning devices mounted on the vehicle as required by G.S. 20-125. All warning devices shall function properly;

(8)           no structural or functional defects that may adversely affect the patient, the EMS personnel, or the safe operation of the vehicle;

(9)           an operational two-way radio that:

(A)          is mounted to the ambulance and installed for safe operation and controlled by the ambulance driver;

(B)          has the range, radio frequencies, and capabilities to establish and maintain two-way voice radio communication from within the defined service area of the EMS System to the emergency communications center or PSAP designated to direct or dispatch the deployment of the ambulance;

(C)          is capable of establishing two-way voice radio communication from within the defined service area to the emergency department of the hospital(s) where patients are routinely transported and to facilities that provide on-line medical direction to EMS personnel;

(D)          is equipped with a radio control device in the patient compartment capable of operation by the patient attendant to receive on-line medical direction; and

(E)           is licensed or authorized by the FCC;

(10)         permanently installed heating and air conditioning systems; and

(11)         a copy of the EMS System patient care treatment protocols.

(c)  A Medical Ambulance/Evacuation Bus shall not use a radiotelephone device such as a cellular telephone as the only source of two-way radio voice communication.

(d)  Communication instruments or devices such as data radio, facsimile, computer, or telemetry radio shall be in addition to the mission dedicated dispatch radio and shall function independently from the mission dedicated radio.

(e)  The EMS System medical director shall designate the combination of medical equipment as required in Subparagraph (b)(2) of this Rule that is carried on a mission based on anticipated patient care needs.

(f)  The ambulance permit for this vehicle shall remain in effect for two years unless any of the following occurs:

(1)           the Department imposes an administrative sanction which specifies permit expiration;

(2)           the EMS Provider closes or goes out of business;

(3)           the EMS Provider changes name or ownership; or

(4)           failure to comply with the applicable Paragraphs of this Rule.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 131E-157(a); 143-508(d)(8);

Eff. July 1, 2011;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. February 2, 2016;

Amended Eff. April 1, 2024.