You asked for information on the certification of ambulances including (1) how a town applies for ambulance certification, (2) the procedure for certification of additional ambulances, (3) the state agency involved, and (4) the applicable time frames.

SUMMARY

The Department of Public Health’s (DPH) Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) has responsibility for the certification of ambulances. The applicable law and procedures depend on whether the new provider is (1) a volunteer service that does not intend to charge for its services or (2) not a volunteer service and does charge for its services.

VOLUNTEER SERVICE

If the new provider is a volunteer service that does not intend to charge for its services, the provider would need to notify OEMS of the service. OEMS would then have to ensure that the new provider satisfies statutory and regulatory requirements concerning equipment, training, personnel, and insurance coverage (see attached regulations).

NOT A VOLUNTEER SERVICE

If the provider is not a volunteer and charges for its services, the applicant must file an application with OEMS and undergo a needs determination hearing. The relevant regulatory provisions are found in the Public Health Code (DPH regulations, §§19a-180-1 to 10, attached). These regulations address “new or expanded emergency medical service. ” Time frames established by regulation include:

1. OEMS may request the filing of additional materials necessary to complete an application or pertinent to a determination within 30 days of receipt of the application (§19a-180-5(a)(1));

2. the applicant must submit any requested material within 10 days of receipt of such request (§19a-180-5(a)(2));

3. the public hearing must be scheduled not more than 60 days after the date the completed application is filed (§19a-180-5(b)(2));

4. the hearing notice must be mailed to the applicant, the EMS regional council, and all emergency medical, ambulance, and invalid coach service providers in the region at least 15 days before the hearing (§19a-180-5(b)(2));

5. a decision must be issued not more than 45 days following the close of the hearing (§19-180a-5(b)(3)); and

6. if authorization is granted, the provider has up to six months to comply with the authorization; if the applicant fails to do so, the authorization becomes null and void (§19a-180-9).

JK: tjo