EMS Vehicle Readiness

Each service shall ensure that each of its EMS vehicles that are in current operation and needed to comply with the applicable service zone plan, are ready to respond to a call at any time. Each service shall implement a system to verify that EMS vehicles are in ready working order, and that each EMS vehicle has all the required equipment, drugs and supplies to respond in accordance with the Statewide Treatment Protocols, to a call at any time. Each service shall ensure the following: (A) Each EMS vehicle in current operation and needed to comply with the applicable service zone plan is housed in a secured, temperature-controlled fully enclosed garage owned or operated by the service, whenever the vehicle’s expected time between calls would compromise vehicle, drugs and equipment performance and readiness or when its EMS personnel need facilities only available at a garage; (B) EMS vehicles, their interior and all equipment, are kept clean and sanitary, in accordance with standards established in administrative requirements of the Department; (C) EMS vehicles’ temperature controls are functioning correctly, so that all drugs and equipment are maintained in conformance with manufacturers’ recommendations and in proper condition for immediate use, and that the patient compartment is heated or cooled, depending on the season; and (D) EMS vehicles are kept in a secured area, free of debris and hazards.