41-1831. Definitions

In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

1. " Ambulance" means any publicly or privately owned surface, water or air vehicle, including a helicopter, that is specially 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. Ambulance 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.

2. " 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.

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

4. " 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.

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

6. " Director" means the director of the department of public safety.

7. " 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.

8. " Emergency medical services communication system" means the statewide system implemented, coordinated and administered by the department of public safety, which may have the capability of providing for the intercommunication of any or all law enforcement agencies and personnel, ambulances, 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.

9. " 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.

10. " 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.