<div class="chunk-title">Sec. 20-31. - Definitions.</div>
<div class="chunk-content">
            <p class="p0">
               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:
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Ambulance</span> means any privately or publicly owned motor vehicle, aircraft or vessel that is specially
               designed, constructed, or modified and equipped and is intended to be used for and
               is maintained or operated for the transportation, on the streets or highways, waterways
               or airways of this state, of persons who are sick, injured, wounded or otherwise incapacitated
               or helpless.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Ambulance provider</span> means an individual, firm, corporation or association who engages or professes to
               engage in the business or service of transporting patients in an ambulance.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Approved</span> means approved by the commission pursuant to the latter's rules and regulations promulgated
               under G.S. 143B-165.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Commission</span> means the North Carolina Medical Care Commission.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Critical care program</span> means a defined system of care during transport from one emergency medical facility
               to another for patients suffering from a specific injury or medical condition, i.e.,
               neonatal, high-risk obstetrics, burns, etc. Such programs must possess, at a minimum,
               a designated physician medical director and written transfer protocols, and be conducted
               in coordination with the county department of emergency medical services.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Dispatcher</span> means a person who is available at all times to receive requests for ambulance service,
               to dispatch ambulances, and to advise the city police, county sheriff dispatcher and
               emergency medical facilities of any existing or threatened emergencies.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Emergency</span> and <span class="ital">emergency transportation service</span> mean the operation of an ambulance in order to provide medical care and transportation
               of a patient who is in need of immediate medical treatment in order to prevent loss
               of life or further aggravation of physiological or psychological illness or injury.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Emergency medical facility</span> means a designated area within a hospital where there is available on a 24-hour basis
               staffing by highly qualified medical and hospital support personnel, all types of
               specialists, blood banks, general and special-purpose operating rooms, diagnostic
               facilities, and equipment capable of rendering complex and comprehensive emergency
               care.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Emergency medical technician</span> means an individual who has completed an educational program in emergency medical
               care approved by the commission and has been certified as an emergency medical technician
               by the commission.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Franchise</span> means a permit issued by the county to a person for the operation of an ambulance
               service.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Franchisee</span> means any person having been issued a franchise by the county for the operation of
               an ambulance service.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">License</span> means any driver's license or permit to operate a motor vehicle issued under or granted
               by the laws of the state.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Medical responder</span> means an individual who has completed an educational program in emergency medical
               care and first aid approved by the department and has been certified as a medical
               responder by the department.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Motor vehicle</span> means any device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported
               upon a highway, excepting devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon fixed
               rails or tracks.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Nonemergency transportation services</span> means the operation of an ambulance or rescue vehicle for any purpose other than
               an emergency.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Operator</span> means a person in actual physical control of an ambulance or rescue vehicle which
               is in motion or which has the engine running.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Owner</span> means any person or entity who owns and operates an ambulance service.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Patient</span> means an individual who is sick, injured, wounded or otherwise incapacitated or helpless
               such that the need for some medical assistance might be anticipated while being transported
               to or from a medical facility.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Practical examination</span> means a test where an applicant for certification or recertification as an emergency
               medical technician or medical responder demonstrates the ability to perform specified
               emergency medical care skills.
               </p>
            <p class="historynote0">
               (Code 1978, Â§ 6-19)
               </p>
            <p class="refcross0" block_type="hang"><b>Cross referenceâ€” </b>
               Definitions generally, <a href="" data-chunk-id="COOR_CH1GEPR_S1-2DERUCO" class="section-link" data-product-id="11337">Â§ 1-2</a>.
               </p></div>