15D. Requirements and conditions for operating ambulance van.
- Vehicle and Equipment StandardsI. Standards. - Every operator shall ensure, with respect to each ambulance used in the ambulance service he or she operates, that:(a)the patient compartment of an ambulance is provided with:(i)adequate space and facilities for placement and transport of one or two patients on stretchers;(ii)readily accessible storage space for the equipment and supplies;(iii)interior surfaces in good repair that are easily cleaned and sanitized;(iv)seating in the patient compartment for at least one attendant, with at least one attendant's seat to be rear-facing and located at the head of the principal or main stretcher patient;(b)each ambulance is constructed and equipped to provide for,-(i)easy loading of stretcher patients by means of a door or doors at the rear of the vehicle; and(ii)loading of stretcher patients by means of a door or doors on the passenger side of the vehicle; and(iii)door openings into or out of the patient compartment described in sub-clause (i) that are designed and equipped to permit the doors to be opened from the inside of the vehicle and comply with transportation standards;(c)a lap-type safety seat-belt conforming to the standards, is provided for each seating position in the ambulance, and that the belt locking mechanism and mounting device for the safety seat-belt is properly maintained, is in good working order and meets the transportation standards;(d)adequate lighting for the care of patients through the placement of low intensity cabinet lights;(e)storage for the equipment required to prevent or minimize projections and sharp edges; and(f)secure fastening or secure storage for all equipment required;(g)the electrical loads of all electrical and electronic components do not exceed the ambulance's generating system capacity;(h)each ambulance is equipped with an isolated dual battery electrical system with the ability for each battery to simultaneously carry the electrical load described in clause (g);(i)each ambulance is provided with,-(i)a light bar (blue flash lights), siren and public address system are to be mounted on the ambulance;(ii)a minimum of one high intensity fog-driving light;(iii)an audio warning device that automatically produces continuous multiple tones;(iv)a public address system;(v)the lights required are on a different electrical circuit; and(vi)the controls for the signals and devices required are readily accessible to the driver and operable by the driver while seated in the driving position;(j)each ambulance is predominantly white with a horizontal Omaha orange reflective band or bands extending along each side of the vehicle, in a proportion and dimension that is appropriate to the design of the vehicle, with a minimum width of 15 centimetres and a maximum width of 45 centimetres;(k)each ambulance displays the word "AMBULANCE",-(i)on the front of the vehicle in legible, reverse, blue reflective capitalized lettering that is at least 10 centimetres in height, with lines at least 1.5 centimetres in width making up the letters; and(ii)on the rear of the vehicle in legible blue reflective capitalized lettering that is at least 15 centimetres in height, with lines at least 2.5 centimetres in width making up the letters; and no ambulance has any other lettering, symbols or designs appearing on the exterior of the ambulance and the visibility into the patient compartment of each ambulance is reasonably restricted by the use of partly tinted or frosted windows;(l)the ambulance accessory equipment should contain First Aid box, one or two stretchers depending on the capacity of the ambulance, oxygen cylinders, if required;(m)ambulance drivers should have the identity card duly approved and signed by Director and white coloured uniforms (white full sleeves shirt and white trouser);(n)the medical equipment in the quantities and in accordance with the specifications specified by the Director;(o)the ambulance service is accessible by the public through a dedicated telephone line on a 24-hour per day basis.II. Maintenance. - Every operator shall maintain each ambulance and the equipment required,-(a)in a safe mechanical condition;(b)in proper working order; and(c)in a clean and sanitary condition.III. Disposable equipment. - (1) Every operator shall:(a)maintain disposable equipment or supplies required in their original, sterile, sealed packaging; and(b)discard the disposable equipment or supplies after use.(2)Where equipment that requires sterilization is used, every operator shall ensure that the equipment is sterilized prior to re-use in accordance with manufacturer's specifications.
