§ 26-26. Definitions.

The definitions set out in the Texas Emergency Medical Services Act, V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code § 773.001 et seq., shall apply to this article, unless otherwise provided in this article. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Ambulance means any motor vehicle equipped with facilities to convey infirm or injured persons in a reclining position to or from health care facilities. Emergency medical services vehicles shall be included within this term.

Ambulance service system means the system created pursuant to this article and an interlocal agreement to provide for the transportation of the sick or injured in emergency or nonemergency situations.

Attendant means an individual who supports the operations of an emergency medical services provider by either being certified emergency medical services personnel or a vehicle driver.

Contract means a contract executed with an emergency medical services provider to provide emergency and nonemergency transportation services for the sick or injured within the corporate limits of the cities who are parties to an interlocal agreement.

Driver means every individual who drives or attempts to drive any emergency medical service vehicle.

Emergency medical services provider (EMS provider) means an organization that uses or maintains emergency medical services vehicles or emergency medical services personnel to provide emergency medical care or nonemergency transportation of the sick or injured or that by any means transports sick or injured persons for remuneration.

Emergency medical services review committee (EMS review committee) means the entity established to oversee the operation of the medical transport or ambulance system created under this article or created in conjunction with an interlocal agreement. The term is also referred to as the "committee."

Emergency prehospital care means care provided to the sick or injured during emergency transportation to a medical facility, including any necessary stabilization of the sick or injured in connection with that transportation.

Interlocal agreement means an agreement executed by local governmental entities to jointly provide for all medical transport services, including both emergency and nonemergency transport, within the geographic area covered by those entities. The term may also be referred to as "agreement."

License means the written authorization issued by the committee for an emergency medical services provider to operate upon the streets within the service area.

Licensee means the emergency medical services provider issued a license as provided in this article.

Medical transport services means the same as ambulance service system.

Response time means the actual elapsed time between receipt of notification at the emergency medical services control center that an ambulance is needed at a location and the arrival of that ambulance at that location.

Service area means the area within which the licensee is entitled to act as an emergency medical services provider pursuant to this article and any interlocal agreement.

(Code 1984, § 13-21)

Cross reference

Definitions generally, § 1-2.