17-3-107. EMERGENCY MEDICAL PROCEDURES.
(1) The Fire Department will have the responsibility for and shall have jurisdiction over any emergency medical services program in the City.
(2) VECC emergency medical dispatchers have the primary responsibility for receiving and dispatching calls for medical assistance, including ambulance.
(3) All direct-dial emergency medical calls received by private agencies will immediately be referred to the VECC for dispatch of appropriate equipment, if the call is for assistance within the City limits.
(4) VECC dispatchers will dispatch the appropriate unit, whether public or private, to the medical emergency scene as per the dispatch priority cards. To accomplish this, the following must be observed:
a. VECC dispatchers shall be kept informed of the status and location of private ambulances in four-hour increments.
b. Where only a private ambulance is dispatched, the private agency will give to the Fire Department the information regarding patients in the form of a patient report within 30 days of the dispatch.
c. Private agencies will notify VECC dispatchers immediately any time ambulance units are not immediately available, if there will be a delayed response time, and the estimated time of arrival.
d. Interaction on fire frequency is required to establish awareness of respective locations.
e. The ambulance company’s dispatch shall use the same dispatch priority card system.
f. Any problems with compliance to the dispatch priority system should be reported by dispatchers, EMTs, paramedics or ambulance personnel at the required monthly emergency medical service meetings.
g. All licensees shall supply a status screen to VECC to comply with proper status tracking.
(5) All vehicles shall contain equipment to be used for participation in specialized rescue services, including but not limited to eye protection, helmets and other safety gear and equipment as determined by the Fire Department.