§ 4-27. Franchise required.

(a)

No person either as owner, agent or otherwise, shall furnish, operate, conduct, maintain, advertise or otherwise be engaged in or profess to be engaged in the business of service of the transportation of patients within the county unless the person holds a valid permit for each ambulance used in such business or service issued by the office of emergency medical services of the state department of human resources and has been granted a franchise for the operation of such business or service by the county pursuant to this article.

(b)

No individual shall drive, attend, or permit a vehicle to be operated for patient transportation purposes within the county unless this individual holds a currently valid certification as a medical responder or emergency medical technician issued by the state.

(c)

No franchise shall be required for:

(1)

Any entity rendering assistance to a franchised ambulance provider in case of a major catastrophe or emergency with which the ambulance providers franchised by the county are insufficient or unable to cope; or;

(2)

Any entity operating from a location or headquarters outside of the county who is transporting patients from a location outside the county to an emergency medical facility in the county; provided, that such entities may be franchised by the county where they are located to provide service for patients residing inside the county; or

(3)

Private citizens offering assistance under the terms of existing Good Samaritan Laws in G.S. 20-166(d) and 90-21.14.

(Ord. of 5-5-03, § 2)