Whenever used in this chapter, unless otherwise expressly stated, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them by this section:

    1. "Ambulance" means a motor vehicle designed and used for emergency care, specially designed in accordance to federal and state specifications and standards for ambulance service which at a minimum shall provide a driver compartment and a separate compartment capable of accommodating two emergency medical technicians and two litter patients so positioned that at least one patient can be given intensive lifesaving care during transit. Such a vehicle shall carry equipment and supplies to provide emergency care at the scene and during transport, to safeguard personnel and patients under hazardous conditions and to carry out light rescue procedures. It shall have two-way radio communication and be designed and constructed to afford maximum safety and comfort and to avoid aggravating the patient's condition, exposing him to complications or threatening his survival. To qualify as an ambulance, a vehicle shall meet all the requirements of the above definition. Unless it is fully equipped and manned to serve as an ambulance, a vehicle employed for elective transport of nonemergency patients (litter, wheelchair or sitting cases) or a vehicle specially designed as a mobile coronary care unit or mobile operating room unit shall not be licensed as an ambulance, nor shall such a vehicle be permitted to use ambulance identifying colors or insignia, flashing lights or warning signal devices.

    2. "Specifications and Standards." All federal and state specifications and standards for ambulance service shall be deemed minimum standards for ambulances licensed under this chapter. For purposes of this chapter the determination of whether an emergency vehicle meets minimum federal and state specifications and standards shall be made at the date of purchase or acquisition of such emergency vehicle.

    3. "Ambulance personnel" means emergency medical technicians (EMT) and emergency medical technician-drivers who shall:

        a. Have at least seventy hours of basic emergency care training in an instruction program approved by the licensing authority, plus ten or more additional hours of emergency room training;

        b. Routinely maintain skills by observation and instruction in a hospital emergency department under the supervision of a physician, including regular critique by emergency room physicians with ambulance personnel of care administered to the patient prior to his arrival at the emergency room;

        c. Meet or exceed requirements of the National Emergency Medical Technician Registry, once established.

    4. "Licensing authority" means the city.  (Ord. S-35915, 1978)