41-1831. Definitions

In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

1. "Air ambulance" means any publicly or privately owned aircraft that is certificated under 14 Code of Federal Regulations part 135, that contains a stretcher and necessary medical equipment and supplies pursuant to section 36-2202 and that is specifically designed and constructed or modified and equipped to be used, maintained or operated primarily to transport individuals who are sick, injured or wounded or who require medical monitoring or aid.

2. "Air ambulance service" means a person or organization that owns and operates one or more air ambulances or that leases from an air carrier the use of one or more air ambulances that are certificated under 14 Code of Federal Regulations part 135, for the purpose of providing emergency medical services in air ambulances.

3. "Ambulance":

(a) Means any publicly or privately owned surface or water vehicle that is specifically designed and constructed or modified and equipped to be used, maintained or operated for transportation of individuals who are sick, injured, wounded or otherwise incapacitated or helpless.

(b) Does not include surface vehicles owned and operated by a private sole proprietor, partnership, private corporation or municipal corporation for the emergency transportation or in transit care of its employees.

4. "Ambulance pilot" means an individual who is responsible for the operation of an air ambulance and who is trained and certified as provided in this chapter.

5. "Ambulance service" means a person who owns and operates one or more ambulances.

6. "Department" means the department of public safety.

7. "Director" means the director of the department.

8. "Emergency medical care technician" means an individual who has been certified by the department of health services as an emergency medical technician, an advanced emergency medical technician, an emergency medical technician I-99 or a paramedic.

9. "Emergency medical patient" means a person who is suffering from a condition that requires immediate medical care or hospitalization, or both, in order to preserve the person's health, life or limb.

10. "Emergency medical services communication system" means the statewide system that is implemented, coordinated and administered by the department of public safety and that may have the capability of providing for the intercommunication of any or all law enforcement agencies and personnel, ambulances, ambulance services and air ambulance services and dispatchers, emergency receiving facilities, other health care institutions, medical practitioners, motor vehicle repair, fire service vehicles and tow trucks, and any other agencies and persons who may be serving on a volunteer basis.

11. "Emergency medical situation" means a condition of emergency in which immediate medical care or hospitalization, or both, is required by a person or persons for the preservation of health, life or limb.

12. "Emergency receiving facility" means a licensed health care institution that offers emergency medical services, that is staffed twenty-four hours a day and that has a physician who is licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 13 or 17 on call.