HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-036 Ordinance amending the City of Yakima Municipal Code Section 5.96.020 relating to ambulance services ORDINANCE NO. 2024-036
AN ORDINANCE amending City of Yakima Municipal Code Section 5.96.020 relating to
ambulance services.
WHEREAS, on May 28, 2024 the Board of Yakima County Commissioners awarded a
sole-source emergency medical services ("EMS") contract to American Medical Response;
WHEREAS, as presently drafted, Section 5.96 of the Yakima Municipal Code regulating
ambulance services does not distinguish between EMS and private ambulance transfers, both of
which operate in the City of Yakima;
WHEREAS, a distinction between the two types of ambulance services in Section 5.96
would clarify that it is intended to regulate EMS ambulances, and not ambulances used for private
transfers of individuals;
WHEREAS, ambulances used for private transfers will still be subject to regulation under
State law; therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF YAKIMA:
Section 1. Section 5.96.020 of the City of Yakima Municipal Code is hereby amended to
read as follows:
5.96.020 Definitions.
(a) "Advanced life support (ALS)" means invasive emergency medical services requiring
advanced medical treatment skills as defined in RCW Chapter 18.71, and as provided by
individuals certified at the level of EMT-paramedic.
(b) "Ambulance" means a privately owned ground vehicle that is designed, constructed,
equipped, maintained and used for the transportation and treatment of patients, but does not
include vehicles used for paratransit services pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990 (42 U.S.C. Section 12101 et seq.) and RCW 49.60.
(c) "Ambulance attendant" means any trained or otherwise qualified individual responsible for
the operation of an ambulance and the care of the patients, whether or not the medical attendant
also serves as a driver, who is the holder of a valid certificate issued under this chapter.
(d) "Ambulance service" means any person who operates an ambulance for hire within the
corporate limits of the city, but does not include the following:
(1) Any person who provides emergency service outside the corporate limits of the city,
and who transports such patients from outside the corporate limits of the city into or
through the city; or
(2) Any person who provides emergency medical services within the corporate limits of
the city at the request of the city pursuant to a written mutual aid agreement between the
city and the person.
(3) Any person whose ambulance-for-hire operations are limited solely to transporting
patients to or between medical facilities at the request and/or direction of a private person,
including any medical facility.
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(e) "Automatic vehicle locator (AVL)" means a vehicle transmitter tracking device that enables
the monitoring of ambulance location from a central monitoring point.
(f) "Basic life support (BLS)" means noninvasive emergency medical services requiring basic
medical treatment skills as defined in chapter 18.73 RCW.
(g) "City" means the city of Yakima, Washington.
(h) "Department" means the city of Yakima fire department.
(i) "DOH" means the Washington State Department of Health, Office of EMS and Prevention.
(j) "Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD)" means the dispatch prioritization and pre-arrival EMS
instructions as approved by the MPD for Yakima County.
(k) "Emergency medical service (EMS)" means medical treatment and care which may be
rendered at the scene of any medical emergency, or while transporting any patient in an
ambulance to an appropriate medical facility including ambulance transportation between medical
facilities.
(I) "Fire chief" means the fire chief of the city fire department or such other city employee as the
fire chief may designate to perform the duties provided for in this chapter.
(m) "Medical program director (MPD)" means emergency medical services medical program
director as defined in RCW 18.71.205(4).
(n) "Patient" means an individual who is sick, injured, wounded, or otherwise incapacitated.
(o) "Person" means an individual, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company, group
of individuals acting together for a common purpose, or any other organization of any kind.
(p) "Response time" means the period from when the call is received by the ambulance
dispatcher until such ambulance arrives at the incident scene. (Ord. 2022-025 § 1, 2022; Ord. 97-
71 § 1 (part), 1997).
Section 2. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect 30 days after its passage,
approval, and publication as provided by law and by the City Charter.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL, signed and approved this 19th day of November, 2024.
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ATTEST: yp,KIMil ,��h atricia Byers, Mayor
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Ro.alinda I barra, City Clerk 14% SHING�
Publication Date: November 23, 2024
Effective Date: December 23, 2024
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BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 9.E.
For Meeting of: November 19, 2024
ITEM TITLE: Ordinance amending the City of Yakima Municipal Code Section
5.96.020 relating to ambulance services
SUBMITTED BY: Aaron Markham, Yakima Fire Chief
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
On May 28, 2024, the Board of Yakima County Commissioners awarded a sole-source emergency
medical services ("EMS") contract to American Medical Response. As presently drafted, Section 5.96 of
the Yakima Municipal Code regulating ambulance services does not distinguish between EMS and
private ambulance transfers, both of which operate in the City of Yakima. A distinction between the two
types of ambulance services in Section 5.96 would clarify that it is intended to regulate EMS
ambulances, and not ambulances used for private transfers of individuals. Ambulances used for private
transfers will still be subject to regulation under State law.
ITEM BUDGETED: N/A
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 24-25: A Safe and Healthy Yakima
RECOMMENDATION: Pass Ordinance.
ATTACHMENTS:
Ordinance_redline
Ordinance final
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