Current through Register Vol. 39, No. 6, September 16, 2024
(a) To be
permitted as a Ground Ambulance, a vehicle shall have:
(1) a patient compartment that meets the
following interior dimensions:
(A) the
length, measured on the floor from the back of the driver's compartment,
driver's seat or partition to the inside edge of the rear loading doors, is at
least 102 inches; and
(B) the
height is at least 48 inches over the patient area, measured from the
approximate center of the floor, exclusive of cabinets or equipment;
(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) other equipment that
includes:
(A) one fire extinguisher mounted in
a quick release bracket that is either a dry chemical or all-purpose type and
has a pressure gauge; and
(B) the
availability of one pediatric restraint device to safely transport pediatric
patients and children under 40 pounds in the patient compartment of the
ambulance;
(4) the name
of the EMS Provider permanently displayed on each side of the
vehicle;
(5) reflective tape
affixed to the vehicle such that there is reflectivity on all sides of the
vehicle;
(6) emergency warning
lights and audible warning devices mounted on the vehicle as required by G.S.
20-125. All warning devices shall function properly;
(7) no structural or functional defects that
may adversely affect the patient, the EMS personnel, or the safe operation of
the vehicle;
(8) 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;
(9) permanently
installed heating and air conditioning systems; and
(10) a copy of the EMS System patient care
treatment protocols.
(b)
Ground ambulances permitted by the OEMS that do not back up the 911 EMS System
shall be exempt from requirements for two-way radio communications as defined
in Subparagraph (a)(8) of this Rule. A two-way radio or radiotelephone device
such as a cellular telephone shall be available to summon emergency
assistance.
(c) 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.
