Chapter 50 - Emergency ServicesChapter 50
EMERGENCY SERVICES*
Article I. In General
Secs. 50-1—50-25. Reserved.
Article II. Reserved
Secs. 50-26—50-50. Reserved.
Article III. Medical Transportation Services
Sec. 50-51. Purpose.
Sec. 50-52. Definitions.
Sec. 50-53. Requirements for Certificate.
Sec. 50-54. Exemptions and exclusions from Certificate Requirement.
Sec. 50-55. Procedure for Obtaining Certificate.
Sec. 50-56. Review of Application.
Sec. 50-57. Requirement for Board Approval in Granting Certificate.
Sec. 50-58. Appointment of Hearing Officer; Appeals.
Sec. 50-59. Rights and Duties Granted by Certificate.
Sec. 50-60. Renewal of Certificate.
Sec. 50-61. Emergency Provisions.
Sec. 50-62. Classifications of certificates.
Sec. 50-63. Transfer or Assignment of Certificates.
Sec. 50-64. Revocation, Alteration or Suspension Grounds.
Sec. 50-65. Collier Regional Medical Directors Coalition.
Sec. 50-66. General operating regulations.
Sec. 50-67. Place of Business.
Sec. 50-68. Records to be Kept.
Sec. 50-69. Rates.
Sec. 50-70. Operator's Insurance Requirements for Non-Governmental Enti-
ties.
Sec. 50-71. Conduct of Drivers and Attendants.
Sec. 50-72. Passengers.
Sec. 50-73. Obedience to Traffic Laws, Ordinances or Regulations.
Sec. 50-74. Violations.
Sec. 50-75. Uniformity of Application.
Sec. 50-76. Authority to enforce.
Secs. 50-77—50-100. Reserved.
Article IV. Community Automated External Defibrillator Program
Sec. 50-101. Title.
Sec. 50-102. Findings and purpose.
Sec. 50-103. Applicability.
Sec. 50-104. Requirements and procedures.
Secs. 50-105—50-130. Reserved.
*Cross references—Civil emergencies, ch. 38; fire prevention and protection, ch. 58; emergency medical services system
impact fee, § 74-266 et seq.; law enforcement, ch. 78; special districts providing for rescue services, ch. 122.
CD50:1Supp. No. 116
ARTICLE I. IN GENERAL
Secs. 50-1—50-25. Reserved.
ARTICLE II. RESERVED*
Secs. 50-26—50-50. Reserved.
ARTICLE III. MEDICAL
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES†
Sec. 50-51. Purpose.
This Ordinance is adopted pursuant to Chapters
125 and 401, Florida Statutes. The purpose of
this Ordinance is to provide better protection for
the health, safety and welfare of the residents of
Collier County, in ambulance and ALS matters,
by establishing uniform county-wide standards
for certification of ambulance or advanced life
support or services, or operations by promulgat-
ing complete and clear rules and regulations for
operation of all ambulance or rescue companies
or services in Collier County.
(Ord. No. 04-12, § 1; Ord. No. 2024-25, § 1)
Sec. 50-52. Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when
used in this Ordinance, shall have the meanings
ascribed to them in this section, except where
the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Administrator shall mean the County Manager,
or his or her designee.
Advanced Life Support (ALS) shall mean
procedures conducted as defined in applicable
Florida Statutes and Florida Administrative Code.
The provision of ALS services may include
ambulance service or ALS non-transport services.
Advanced Life Support Non-Transport (ALS
non-transport) shall mean the provision of ALS
services in an emergency by a licensee until the
arrival of an air ambulance or an ambulance
which is used for, or intended to be used for, land,
air, or water transportation of sick or injured
persons requiring or likely to require medical
attention during transport.
Ambulance means any privately or publicly
owned land, air, or water vehicle that is designed,
constructed, reconstructed, maintained, equipped
or operated, and is used for or intended to be
used for air, land, or water transportation of
persons who are sick, injured, or otherwise help-
less.
Basic Life Support (BLS) means the assess-
ment of treatment by a person qualified under
Florida Statute and Florida Administrative Code
in the use of techniques described in the EMT-
Basic National Standard Curriculum or the
National EMS Education Standards of the United
States Department of Transportation and
approved by the Department of Health.
Board shall mean the Collier County Board of
County Commissioners.
Certificate means a certificate of public
convenience and necessity as authorized in Sec-
tion 401.25(2)(d), Florida Statutes.
Countywide Medical Protocols means the medi-
cally correct standing orders or protocols that
permit specified ALS and BLS procedures when
communication cannot be established with an
Operator's medical director or when any delay in
patient care would potentially threaten the life
or health of the patient, which all Class 1, 3, and
4 certificate holders' emergency medical service
professionals, such as paramedics and emergency
medical technicians (EMTs), must follow for
patient assessment, treatment, transportation,
and delivery to definitive care. Countywide Medi-
cal Protocols must be approved by the Collier
Regional Medical Directors Coalition in accordance
with this Ordinance. An Operator's medical direc-
tor may elect not to have its emergency medical
*Editor’s note—Ord. No. 2009-01, § 6, adopted Jan. 13,
2009, repealed art. II §§ 50-26—50-28, which pertained to
the Collier County Emergency Medical Services Advisory
Council and derived from: Ord. No. 80-80, §§ 1—3; Ord. No.
81-1, § 1; Ord. No. 00-70, § 1; Ord. No. 02-39, § 1; Ord. No.
2006-55, § 1; and Ord. No. 08-35, § 1.
†Editor’s note—Ord. No. 04-12, § 26, adopted Feb. 24,
2004, repealed divs. 1 and 2 of art. III, §§ 50-51—50-68,
50-76—50-86, in their entirety. Sections 1—25 of said ordinance
enacted similar provisions to read as herein set out.
Cross references—Businesses, ch. 22; health and sanita-
tion, ch. 66.
State law reference—Medical transportation services,
F.S. § 401.2101 et seq.
§ 50-52EMERGENCY SERVICES
CD50:3Supp. No. 116
service professionals carry all medicines or
perform all procedures required by a County-
wide Medical Protocol but such medical director
shall ensure that its emergency medical service
professionals are fully trained on the entire
protocol.
Emergency Call shall mean the transit of an
ambulance under conditions which warrants travel
with flashing lights and siren operating.
Governmental Entity shall mean Collier County,
a municipality, or an independent special fire
control and rescue district within Collier County.
Non-governmental Entity shall mean any
person, organization, firm, agency, or entity includ-
ing, but not limited to, a corporation, partner-
ship, limited liability company, or sole
proprietorship that is not affiliated, through
ownership or control, with a governmental entity.
Operator shall mean any non-governmental
entity or governmental entity providing
ambulance or ALS non-transport services.
Patient shall mean an individual who is ill,
sick, injured, wounded, or otherwise incapacitated
or helpless.
Rescue Service (Non-ALS) shall mean first
response treatment of patients but does not
include ALS or transport.
Routine Call or Routine Transfer shall mean
the transportation of a patient under non-
emergency call conditions.
(Ord. No. 04-12, § 2; Ord. No. 2011-36, § 1; Ord.
No. 2019-38, § 1; Ord. No. 2024-25, § 2)
Sec. 50-53. Requirements for Certificate.
It shall be unlawful for any non-governmental
entity or governmental entity to provide an
ambulance service or ALS services or interfacil-
ity transport services without first obtaining a
certificate therefore from the Board or the
Administrator, as provided by this Ordinance.
(Ord. No. 04-12, § 3; Ord. No. 2024-25, § 3)
Sec. 50-54. Exemptions and exclusions
from Certificate Requirement.
Certificates shall not be required for:
A. Rescue Services (Non-ALS).
B. The use of a non-ambulance for any
transport of a patient pursuant to the
Good Samaritan Act, Section 768.13,
Florida Statutes.
C. Vehicles rendering ambulance-type
services when requested to do so by the
Board or Administrator in the event of a
major catastrophe or other such
emergency which requires more
ambulances than are available in the
county.
D. Ambulances based outside the county
which pick up a patient in the county and
transport the patient out of the county, or
which pick up a patient out of the county
and transport the patient into the county.
E. Vehicles used to transport persons for
routine scheduled medical treatments.
Vehicles transporting persons who require
services en route are not covered by this
exemption.
(Ord. No. 04-12, § 4; Ord. No. 05-16, § 4; Ord.
No. 2011-36, § 2; Ord. No. 2024-25, § 4)
Sec. 50-55. Procedure for Obtaining
Certificate.
A. Non-governmental entities applying for any
classification of certificate shall provide the
Administrator with the following information in
order for a request for a certificate to be
considered. Each request shall contain:
1. The name, age, and address of the owner
of the ambulance or ALS Operator, or if
the owner is a corporation, then of the
directors of the corporation and of all the
stockholders holding more than 25% of
the outstanding shares.
2. The boundaries of the territory desired to
be served (also known as a zone).
3. The number and brief description of the
ambulances or other vehicles the applicant
will have available.
§ 50-52 COLLIER COUNTY CODE
CD50:4Supp. No. 116
4. The address of the intended headquarters
and any substations.
5. The training and experience of the
applicant.
6. The names and addresses of three Collier
County residents who will act as refer-
ences for the applicant.
7. A schedule of rates which the service
intends to charge.
8. Such other pertinent information as the
Administrator may require.
9. An application or renewal fee of two
hundred fifty dollars ($250.00).
10. Financial data including assets and
liabilities of the Operator. A schedule of
all debts encumbering any equipment
shall be included.
B. Governmental entities applying for a Class
1, Class 3, and/or Class 4 certificate shall provide
the Administrator with the following informa-
tion in order for a request for a certificate to be
granted. Each request shall contain:
1. The name of the governmental entity.
2. (a) The boundaries of the territory to
be served by a Class 1 or Class 3
Operator that is a governmental
entity includes the governmental
entity's jurisdiction and any areas
in which the governmental entity
has an automatic aid or mutual aid
agreement for fire and emergency
medical services or in accordance
with a closest unit response agree-
ment. If an applicant submits an
application that does not include
the same number of Collier County
EMS ambulances that were previ-
ously stationed within the
governmental entity's boundaries at
the time of its Class 1 certificate
application ("Prior Coverage"), a
statement that the Class 1 Opera-
tor recognizes that Collier County
EMS may continue to provide
transport services within its terri-
tory and, to avoid the disruption of
transport services to the public, the
governmental entity will coordinate
with Collier County EMS related to
ambulance coverage within its
boundaries until such time as the
governmental entity activates the
same Prior Coverage.
(b) If a governmental entity's ability to
provide service under a Class 4
certificate is activated in accordance
with this Ordinance, the Operator
is authorized to provide fire, rescue,
and emergency medical services
countywide if the Operator has the
closest or most appropriate unit that
is able to provide the response.
3. A certification by the Fire Chief or
applicable administrator of the
governmental entity that the
governmental entity has the ability to
obtain all licenses and certificates as
may be required by Chapter 401, Florida
Statutes.
4. The governmental entity's annual report
or its last fiscal audit submitted to the
Florida Auditor General.
5. A schedule of rates which the service
intends to charge, if applicable. The
schedule of rates may be a statement
that such rates are the rates as set by the
Federal Government.
6. The number of vehicles that the applicant
will permit under its state license for
ambulances and ALS non-transport
vehicles, as applicable.
No application or renewal fee shall be required
for any applicant that is a governmental
entity applying for a Class 1, Class 3 or Class
4 certificate. An applicant may apply for
multiple certificates simultaneously.
(Ord. No. 04-12, § 5; Ord. No. 2011-36, § 3; Ord.
No. 2024-25, § 5)
Sec. 50-56. Review of Application.
A. For all applicants that are non-governmental
entities, the Administrator shall review each
application and shall investigate the applicant's
§ 50-56EMERGENCY SERVICES
CD50:5Supp. No. 116
reputation, competence, financial responsibility,
and any other relevant factors. The Administra-
tor shall also make an investigation as to the
public necessity for an ambulance or ALS opera-
tion in the territory requested, and shall then
make a report to the Board containing his or her
recommendation whether to grant a certificate
to the applicant within sixty (60) days of the time
the Administrator determines the application is
complete.
B. Notwithstanding any other ordinance or
provision, no administrative review or review by
the Board, a county-appointed board, entity, or
commission shall be required for any applicant
that is a governmental entity applying for a
Class 1, Class 3, and/or Class 4 certificate. Upon
submission of an application that includes the
information required by this Ordinance, the
Administrator shall administratively approve
the application and shall issue the requested
certificate or certificates to the governmental
entity within sixty (60) days of the application
submission.
(Ord. No. 04-12, § 6; Ord. No. 2024-25, § 6)
Sec. 50-57. Requirement for Board
Approval in Granting
Certificate.
The Board shall not grant a certificate to a
non-governmental entity unless it shall find,
after public hearing and based on competent
evidence that each of the following standards
has been satisfied:
A. That there is a public necessity for the
service. In making such determination,
the Board shall consider, as a minimum,
the following factors:
1. The extent to which the proposed
service is needed to improve the
overall emergency medical services
(EMS) capabilities of Collier County.
2. The effect of the proposed service on
existing services with respect to qual-
ity of service and cost of service.
3. The effect of the proposed service on
the overall cost of EMS service in
the County.
4. The effect of the proposed service on
existing hospitals and other health
care facilities.
5. The effect of the proposed service on
personnel of existing services and
the availability of sufficient quali-
fied personnel in the local area to
adequately staff all existing services.
B. That the applicant has sufficient
knowledge and experience to properly
operate the proposed service.
C. That, if applicable, there is an adequate
revenue base for the proposed service.
D. That the proposed service will have suf-
ficient personnel and equipment to
adequately cover the proposed service
area.
(Ord. No. 04-12, § 7; Ord. No. 2011-36, § 4; Ord.
No. 2024-25, § 7)
Sec. 50-58. Appointment of Hearing
Officer; Appeals.
A. In making the determinations provided for
in Section 7 above, the Board may, in its sole
discretion, appoint a Hearing Officer to hold a
public hearing and to make factual findings and
conclusions as a result of the hearing. Should a
Hearing Officer be appointed, said hearing officer
shall render a written report to the Board within
thirty (30) days of the hearing, which report
shall contain the officer's findings and conclu-
sions of fact, and a recommended order. The
findings and conclusions of fact shall be binding
upon the Board, but the recommended order
shall be advisory only.
B. All decisions rendered by the Administra-
tor or the Board shall be appealable by request-
ing a hearing before a Hearing Officer.
1. The hearing shall be requested within
fifteen (15) business days of the date of
the decision to be challenged.
2. A hearing date shall not be postponed or
continued unless a request for continu-
ance is received in writing by the Hear-
ing Officer at least ten (10) business days
prior to the date set for the hearing. No
§ 50-56 COLLIER COUNTY CODE
CD50:6Supp. No. 116
additional continuances shall be granted
without concurrence of the Administra-
tor.
3. The fact-finding determination of the
Hearing Officer shall be limited to whether
the alleged violation occurred or whether
competent, substantial evidence sup-
ports the Administrator's or Board's deci-
sion. Based upon this fact-finding
determination, the Hearing Officer shall
either affirm or reverse the decision of
the Administrator or Board. If the Hear-
ing Officer affirms the decision of the
Administrator or Board, the named party
shall have fifteen (15) calendar days
from the date of the decision of the
Hearing Officer to comply with the deci-
sion of the Administrator or Board unless
some other period is agreed to by the
County.
C. All decisions rendered by the Hearing Officer
shall be appealable to the Board of County
Commissioners, and all decisions rendered by
the Board shall be appealable as permitted by
Florida law, and shall be considered quasi-
judicial decisions.
(Ord. No. 04-12, § 9; Ord. No. 2011-36, § 5; Ord.
No. 2024-25, § 8)
Sec. 50-59. Rights and Duties Granted by
Certificate.
A. The certificate granted by the Board to a
non-governmental entity shall be valid for one
(1) calendar year and shall be personal to the
applicant and not transferable. In the case of a
corporation, if there occurs such a transfer of
stock or other incidents of ownership as to
change the majority or largest stockholder, a new
certificate must be applied for. Changes in the
officers of the corporation will not require a new
certificate. The certificate granted by the
Administrator to a governmental entity shall
remain valid until such time as the governmental
entity provides one (1) year notice to the
Administrator that it will no longer be providing
ALS services. Notwithstanding, a certificate issued
to a governmental entity may be revoked in
accordance with this Ordinance.
B. A Class 1 and Class 3 certificate holder
may increase the number of vehicles providing
services upon notifying Collier County within
five (5) business days of additional State vehicle
permits, including whether such vehicle is an
ambulance or providing ALS non-transport
services (as applicable). Nothing in this Ordinance
shall supersede any State administrative rule
that allows a vehicle to provide BLS services.
C. Acceptance of the certificate by the applicant
shall obligate the applicant to:
1. Service the entire zone granted to the
applicant or the area provided in this
Ordinance for Class 1, Class 3, and Class
4 certificate holders.
2. Provide coverage to adjoining zones, if
available, when requested to do so by
emergency dispatch for emergency calls
when the certificate holder for that zone
is unable to respond. A Class 4 certificate
holder is authorized to provide fire, rescue,
and emergency medical services county-
wide if activated in accordance with this
Ordinance.
3. Keep posted at the Operator's place of
business a copy of the fee schedule, which
must be filed with the Administrator (if
applicable).
4. Operate in accordance with the rules and
regulations adopted pursuant to this
Ordinance and any applicable County
Ordinances, and Chapter 401, Florida
Statutes, and any administrative regula-
tions adopted pursuant thereto.
5. Employ, at all times, sufficient personnel
experienced in operation and manage-
ment of emergency medical services to
ensure proper and efficient operation.
6. Submission of a list of all vehicles permit-
ted by the State Department of Health.
(Ord. No. 04-12, § 9; Ord. No. 2011-36, § 5; Ord.
No. 2024-25, § 9)
Sec. 50-60. Renewal of Certificate.
Each non-governmental entity certificate holder
shall file within ninety (90) days of expiration,
§ 50-60EMERGENCY SERVICES
CD50:7Supp. No. 116
an application for renewal of the certificate.
Renewals shall be based upon the same standards,
as the granting of the original certificate along
with such other factors as may be relevant. The
renewal application shall be accompanied by a
two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) renewal fee.
If the initial certificate was issued under this
Ordinance, the renewal certificate may be
approved routinely by the Board, upon advice of
the Administrator, or the Board may hold a
hearing on same.
(Ord. No. 04-12, § 10; Ord. No. 2024-25, § 10)
Sec. 50-61. Emergency Provisions.
The Board may modify, suspend or revoke a
certificate in the interest of the public health,
safety and welfare, only at public hearing and
after reasonable notice has been given to the
certificate holder affected. However, if a situa-
tion exists which poses a serious threat that the
Operator will not be available in any certain
area of Collier County, the Administrator shall
have such temporary emergency powers as are
necessary to provide that service. These temporary
powers are intended to provide interim protec-
tion until such time as the Board meets to
resolve the emergency.
(Ord. No. 04-12, § 11; Ord. No. 2011-36, § 6; Ord.
No. 2024-25, § 11)
Sec. 50-62. Classifications of certificates.
To fulfill ongoing needs for emergency medical
services in Collier County, as it grows and responds
to service needs, there shall be four (4) classifica-
tions of service in Collier County, as follows:
A. Class 1: Primary ALS Transport: ALS
Rescue.
1. An Operator with the capability of
rendering on the scene prehospital
ALS services with transport capabil-
ity and who may or may not elect to
transport patients based on medical
necessity. An Operator rendering
this level of service for a
governmental entity shall be deemed
to be operating under the Class
1—ALS rescue certificate of public
convenience and necessity held by
the governmental entity. An Opera-
tor holding a Class 1—ALS rescue
certificate may provide post-hospital
interfacility medical transfer services
and routine ALS and BLS calls
within the County. A certificate of
public convenience and necessity
must be obtained from the County
before engaging in this level of medi-
cal service.
An Operator with a Class 1—ALS
rescue certificate may provide both
ambulances and ALS non-transport
services based on the information
provided to Collier County in
accordance with this Ordinance.
An Operator with a Class 1
certificate is authorized to have its
ALS non-transport vehicles provide
transport on a limited basis upon
(1) the issuance of an emergency
order has been issued by the
Governor of the State of Florida
declaring or extending a state of
emergency for a natural disaster or
public health emergency that
includes Collier County, (2) the occur-
rence of an active shooting incident
in Collier County as determined by
the Collier County Sheriff's Office,
(3) the occurrence of an injury to a
firefighter, paramedic, or law enforce-
ment officer that results in the need
for the immediate transport, or (4)
the occurrence of a mass casualty as
defined by the Collier County Fire
Chiefs Mass Casualty Incident
Guidelines in Collier County. A Class
1 certificate holder may also
temporarily add additional
ambulances based on special events
within its boundaries.
2. The medical director for a Class 1
certificate holder shall not delegate
or relinquish any responsibilities
identified in Section 401.265, Florida
Statutes, and associated Florida
Administrative Code rules. The
medical director for a Class 1
§ 50-60 COLLIER COUNTY CODE
CD50:8Supp. No. 116
certificate holder shall actively
participate in the Collier Regional
Medical Directors Coalition and must
implement the Countywide Medical
Protocols developed in accordance
with this Ordinance to ensure
continuity of care.
3. Only governmental entities may be
Class 1 certificate holders.
B. Class 2: Inter-Facility Transport Services:
BLS or ALS Transfer.
An Operator who provides post-hospital
inter-facility medical transfer services,
both within and outside the County. If
requested by the appropriate Class
1—ALS Rescue Operator, will provide
emergency pre-hospital backup service.
ALS transfer certificate holders may
provide post-hospital medical transfer
services for routine and emergency ALS
and BLS patients. Class 2 transfer
certificate holders must either provide
for their own medical director or contract
with the County Medical Director, and
will operate under the protocols approved
by the Class 2 Operator's Medical Direc-
tor. If the Operator provides for its own
medical director, that medical director
shall work cooperatively with the County's
Office of the Medical Director to ensure
continuity of care. Class 2 Operators
shall comply with all guidelines and poli-
cies approved by the Board of County
Commissioners, and shall notify and work
with all hospitals and facilities to educate
them as to the services Operator provides.
The County reserves the right to review
and evaluate all calls made by the Opera-
tor to ensure that the appropriate level of
personnel, supplies, equipment and
vehicles are being utilized, as set forth in
Florida Statute and Florida Administra-
tive Code.
C. Class 3: ALS Non-Transport.
1. An Operator who renders ALS pre-
hospital services without transport
capability.
2. Class 3 certificate holders work in
concert with applicable Class 1
Operators to assure adequate and
timely response to prehospital
incidents with the intent to either
reduce applicable response times or
otherwise augment the level of
services as requested by the associ-
ated Class 1 Operator. Class 3
certificate holders service will
improve patient outcomes, reduce
time to initial assess to care, and
improve performance on quality
measures as developed by state or
national oversight groups. If
requested by a Class 1 Operator,
each paramedic employed by a Class
3 certificate holder must accompany
a patient on an Operator's ALS
transport from scene to hospital
when the paramedic for such Class
3 Operator initiates ALS services
on a patient prior to the Class 1
Operator transport arrival or if the
patient's condition requires that
additional level of expertise. Unless
an Operator possesses a Class
1—ALS Rescue certificate issued by
the County, a certificate of public
convenience and necessity must be
obtained from the County before
engaging in this level of medical
service.
3. The medical director for a Class 3
Operator shall work cooperatively
with the Class 1 Operators to ensure
continuity of care. The medical direc-
tor for a Class 3 certificate holder
shall not delegate or relinquish any
responsibilities identified in Sec-
tion 401.265, Florida Statutes, and
associated Florida Administrative
Code rules. The medical director for
a Class 3 certificate holder shall
actively participate in the Collier
Regional Medical Directors Coali-
tion and must implement the Coun-
tywide Medical Protocols developed
in accordance with this Ordinance
to ensure continuity of care.
§ 50-62EMERGENCY SERVICES
CD50:9Supp. No. 116
4. Only governmental entities may be
Class 3 certificate holders.
D. Class 4: Secondary ALS Transport
1. An Operator with the capability of
rendering on the scene prehospital
ALS services with transport capabil-
ity and who may or may not elect to
transport patients based on medical
necessity. An Operator with a Class
4 certificate may only transport upon:
a. the request of a Class 1
certificate holder, with such
requests being limited to
emergencies where due to call
volumes, mutual aid is needed;
b. the issuance of an emergency
order has been issued by the
Governor of the State of Florida
declaring or extending a state
of emergency for a natural
disaster or public health
emergency that includes Col-
lier County;
c. the occurrence of an active
shooting incident in Collier
County as determined by the
Collier County Sheriff's Office;
d. the occurrence of an injury to a
firefighter, paramedic, or law
enforcement officer that results
in the need for the immediate
transport; or
e. the occurrence of a mass
casualty as defined by the Col-
lier County Fire Chiefs Mass
Casualty Incident Guidelines
in Collier County.
2. A Class 4 Operator does not have
the authority to provide inter-facil-
ity transport services unless there
is:
a. the issuance of an emergency
order has been issued by the
Governor of the State of Florida
declaring or extending a state
of emergency for a natural
disaster or public health
emergency that includes Col-
lier County;
b. the occurrence of an active
shooting incident in Collier
County as determined by the
Collier County Sheriff's Office;
or
c. the occurrence of a mass
casualty as defined by the Col-
lier County Fire Chiefs Mass
Casualty Incident Guidelines
in Collier County.
3. The medical director for a Class 4
certificate holder shall work
cooperatively with Class 1 Opera-
tors to ensure continuity of care.
The medical director for a Class 4
certificate holder shall not delegate
or relinquish any responsibilities
identified in Section 401.265, Florida
Statutes, and associated Florida
Administrative Code rules. The
medical director for a Class 4
certificate holder shall actively
participate in the Collier Regional
Medical Directors Coalition and must
implement the Countywide Medical
Protocols developed in accordance
with this Ordinance to ensure
continuity of care.
4. Only governmental entities may be
Class 4 certificate holders. To qualify
for a Class 4 certificate, the Opera-
tor must also have a Class 3
certificate.
An Operator may be issued multiple certificates
for different classes of service.
(Ord. No. 04-12, § 12; Ord. No. 2011-36, § 7; Ord.
No. 2012-04, § 1; Ord. No. 2019-38, § 2; Ord. No.
2024-25, § 12)
Sec. 50-63. Transfer or Assignment of
Certificates.
No certificate issued under this Ordinance
shall be assignable or transferable by the person
to whom issued unless approval is obtained from
the Board in the same manner and subject to the
§ 50-62 COLLIER COUNTY CODE
CD50:10Supp. No. 116
same application, investigation, fees and public
hearing as original applications for certificates.
Any majority transfer of shares or stock or
interest of any person or Operator so as to cause
a change in the directors, officers, majority
stockholders or managers of such person or
Operator shall be deemed a transfer or assign-
ment as contemplated in this Ordinance and
subject to the same rules and regulations as any
other transfer or assignment.
(Ord. No. 04-12, § 13; Ord. No. 2024-25, § 13)
Sec. 50-64. Revocation, Alteration or
Suspension Grounds.
A. Every certificate issued under this
Ordinance shall be subject to revocation, altera-
tion and/or suspension of operation, by the Board,
for a period of up to one year, where it shall
appear that:
1. The Operator has failed or neglected for
a period of thirty (30) days during any
calendar year to render all services
authorized by the certificate.
2. The Operator has been convicted of a
felony or any criminal offense involving
moral turpitude.
3. The certificate was obtained by an applica-
tion in which any material fact was
omitted or falsely stated.
4. The Operator has knowingly permitted
any of its motor vehicles to be operated in
violation of the laws which result in
conviction of the driver or Operator of a
misdemeanor in the second degree or
greater, or has knowingly permitted a
driver with more than two (2) previous
convictions to operate emergency vehicles.
5. The Operator has failed to comply with
any of the provisions of this Ordinance.
6. The public interest will best be served by
revocation, alteration, or suspension of
any certificate upon good cause shown.
7. The Operator or its agent has demanded
money or compensation other than
established and prescribed under this
Ordinance (if applicable).
8. The Operator has without sufficient
justification failed or refused to furnish
emergency care and/or transportation
promptly for a sick or injured person.
9. The Operator or its agent has been found
guilty of malpractice or willful and wanton
misconduct in the operation of its service.
B. All complaints shall be investigated and a
report thereon made to the Board, together with
findings and recommendations, within fifteen
(15) days. If revocation, suspension or alteration
of any certificate appears warranted, the Board
shall give notice to the Operator holding the
certificate that the same will be considered at a
specific commission meeting, provided the date
of such meeting shall not be less than five (5)
days from the date of the notice. The Board shall
thereupon consider the complaint and either
revoke, suspend or alter the certificate or dismiss
the complaint.
(Ord. No. 04-12, § 14; Ord. No. 2024-25, § 14)
Sec. 50-65. Collier Regional Medical
Directors Coalition.
The continuity of care for patients of emergency
medical services within the County is imperative
for the safety of citizens and visitors in Collier
County. As a result, the implementation of Coun-
tywide Medical Protocols is required by Class 1,
Class 3, and Class 4 certificate holders.
A. There is hereby created the Collier
Regional Medical Directors Coalition
(hereinafter the "MD Board"), whose
purpose is to ensure that the rendering
of on scene prehospital emergency medi-
cal services within the County is coopera-
tive and seamless between Operators.
B. The members of the MD Board consists
of the medical director for each Class 1
and 3 Operator, with each Operator having
a single medical director as a member,
the Chair of Emergency Medicine, or the
Chair of Emergency Medicine's physi-
cian designee, from each hospital system
that is operating within Collier County,
and the Chair of Emergency Medicine, or
§ 50-65EMERGENCY SERVICES
CD50:11Supp. No. 116
the Chair of Emergency Medicine's physi-
cian designee from the regional trauma
center in Lee County.
C. The purpose of the MD Board is to
develop medical protocols that will be
implemented as Countywide Medical
Protocols as well as to develop a creden-
tialing and recredentialing standards for
EMTs and paramedics of Class 1, 3, and
4 Operators. The MD Board will also
make recommendations for equipment,
supplies, medications to fulfill medical
protocols, including changes related to
equipment/medication shortages.
D. Any Operator's Medical Director, or the
Operator's Medical Director's physician
designee, may propose a medical protocol
for consideration to be implemented as a
Countywide Medical Protocol. The medi-
cal protocol shall be deemed a County-
wide Medical Protocol upon a majority
approval of the MD Board members.
E. Operators' Medical Directors have an
equal vote on the board and a Medical
Director may not represent more than
one (1) Operator on the MD Board at any
given time. The hospital-based Emergency
Medicine chairs are non-voting members.
F. The County's Medical Director shall serve
as the initial Chair of the MD Board and
shall serve a one (1) year term as Chair.
G. The MD Board shall be staffed by the
Operator that is represented by the Chair.
H. Robert's Rules of Order shall be applicable
to board meetings and Chapter 286,
Florida Statutes, is not applicable. The
MD Board shall adopt by-laws for doing
its work and conducting its business,
including but not limited to quorum,
voting on non-protocol related issues, the
election and term of the Chair, the appoint-
ment of members by Operators when
they share a medical director to ensure
each Operator has representation on the
MD Board, and how new or modified
protocols are implemented to ensure
appropriate training.
I. The MD Board will designate appropri-
ate working committees and the leader-
ship and responsibilities of those
committees. Working committees may
include non-MD Board members.
J. The MD Board may coordinate with other
boards or organizations such as the Lee
County Medical Control Board and the
Collier County EMS Council.
K. The MD Board will conduct quality
reviews that are protected by Peer Review
statutes and standards in place in Florida
for such activities. Each member of the
MD Board must agree to comply with
Health Insurance Portability and Account-
ability Act (HIPAA) and Florida Informa-
tion Protection Act (FIPA) requirements,
as amended. Protected health informa-
tion may not be disclosed to a MD Board
member unless an agreement addressing
HIPAA and FIPA has been executed
between the certificate holder and MD
Board member.
(Ord. No. 2024-25, § 15)
Editor’s note—Ord. No. 2024-25 added new provisions
designated as § 50-65 and renumbered existing §§ 50-65—
50-75 as 50-66—50-76, as herein set out below.
Sec. 50-66. General operating regulations.
All Operators and drivers shall comply with
all state statutes and administrative regulations
as well as the following regulations:
A. Twenty-four Hour Service. Every Opera-
tor shall be required to operate sufficient
ambulances, if applicable, or relevant
apparatus, as stated on the vehicle permit
issued by the State Department of Health,
Bureau of Emergency Medical Services
on immediate call at all times.
Notwithstanding, an Operator that is a
Class 1 certificate holder may provide
less than twenty-four (24) hour services
based on the information provided to
Collier County in accordance with this
Ordinance.
B. Prompt Service Required. Every call for
service shall be answered promptly and
in line with medical necessity. Patients
§ 50-65 COLLIER COUNTY CODE
CD50:12Supp. No. 116
shall be appropriately assessed, treated,
packaged, loaded and transported by an
Operator that is licensed to transport
without being subject to unreasonable
delays. All calls for emergency assistance
requiring over twenty (20) minutes from
time of notification to arrival on scene
shall be reported to the Administrator
with complete documentation of the
circumstances, which delayed the
response. Those instances where more
than three (3) minutes elapse between
receipt of an emergency call and dispatch
of an emergency vehicle shall also be
reported to the Administrator with
documentation of circumstances.
C. Bed Linens. Every Operator transporting
patients shall provide clean and sanitary
bed linens for each patient carried which
shall be changed as soon as practicable
after the discharge of the patient.
D. Daily Log. Every Operator transporting
patients shall maintain in a daily log
upon which shall be recorded the place or
origin, time of call, time of dispatch, time
of arrival at scene, time left for hospital,
time of arrival at hospital, and charges
for each trip made and such other operat-
ing and patient information as may be
required by Ordinance. Every Operator
shall retain and preserve all daily logs
for at least two (2) years, and such logs
shall be available for inspection by the
Administrator recognizing that informa-
tion that is protected by the Health
Insurance Portability and Accountability
Act (HIPAA) and Florida Information
Protection Act (FIPA), as amended, may
not be disclosed to the Administrator
unless an agreement addressing HIPAA
and FIPA has been executed between the
certificate holder and the County.
E. Communications. Each emergency vehicle
shall maintain two-way radio communica-
tion with the location of primary dispatch
from which it operates, as well as any
additional communication capabilities
required by Ordinance or state law.
F. Vehicles and Equipment. Each Operator's
vehicles shall be equipped with the proper
medical and emergency equipment as
jointly agreed to by the Collier Regional
Medical Directors Coalition and in
accordance with the laws of the State of
Florida.
G. Certification. All Operators shall certify
its paramedics pursuant to Section
401.265, Florida Statutes, and Chapter
64J-2.004(4)(a), Florida Administrative
Code. The credentialing and recredential-
ing process developed by the Collier
Regional Medical Directors Coalition shall
be implemented by all Class 1, 3, and 4
certificate holders, and such certificate
holders shall ensure that the credential-
ing and recredentialing process is
incorporated into their respective collec-
tive bargaining agreements.
H. Application. Each ambulance or ALS
service shall be subject to those rules and
regulations as promulgated by Ordinances
of the Board for the purpose of carrying
out this Ordinance.
I. Continuity of Care. For Class 1, 3, and 4
certificate holders, each certificate holder
must implement the Countywide Medi-
cal Protocols developed in accordance
with this Ordinance to ensure continuity
of care.
(Ord. No. 04-12, § 15; Ord. No. 2011-36, § 8; Ord.
No. 2012-04, § 2; Ord. No. 2024-25, § 16)
Sec. 50-67. Place of Business.
Within ninety (90) days of a license being
issued by the State Department of Health, each
Operator shall maintain a place of business
which shall be entirely within the designated
operating zone, at which place the Operator
shall provide communication with its vehicles,
the Collier County Emergency Medical Services
Division, and its place of business, a properly
listed telephone for receiving all calls for service
and at which place of business the Operator
shall keep such business records, training records,
vehicles, and daily logs available for inspection
or audit by the Administrator. Every Operator
§ 50-67EMERGENCY SERVICES
CD50:13Supp. No. 116
shall keep on file with the Administrator and the
County Emergency Medical Services Division a
business address and telephone number at which
the Operator may be reached at all times. This
information will be maintained at the Emergency
Medical Services Division.
(Ord. No. 04-12, § 16, Ord. No. 2012-04, § 3; Ord.
No. 2024-25, § 17)
Sec. 50-68. Records to be Kept.
Every Operator shall keep accurate records of
receipts from operations, operating and other
expenses, capital expenditure and such other
operating and patient information as may be
required by the Board or by Florida Statute.
(Ord. No. 04-12, § 17; Ord. No. 2024-25, § 18)
Sec. 50-69. Rates.
Every Operator shall file with the Board a
schedule of the rates. Such rates shall be filed as
a part of each new or renewal application, and a
rate schedule shall also be filed when changes in
rates are proposed. All such rates shall be
subject to review and approval by the Board,
unless such rates are those that are set and
implemented by the Federal Government.
(Ord. No. 04-12, § 18; Ord. No. 2024-25, § 19)
Sec. 50-70. Operator's Insurance Require-
ments for Non-Governmental
Entities.
Every ambulance operator that is not a
governmental entity shall carry bodily injury
and property damage insurance with solvent and
responsible insurers authorized to transact busi-
ness in the State of Florida to secure payment for
any loss or damage resulting from any occur-
rence arising out of or caused by the operation or
use of any of the Operator's motor vehicles. Each
vehicle shall be insured for the sum of at least
one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) for
injuries to or death of any one person arising out
of any one accident and the sum of at least three
hundred thousand dollars ($300,000.00) for
injuries to or death or more than one person in
any one accident and for the sum of at least fifty
thousand dollars ($50,000.00) for damage to
property arising from any one accident. They
shall also have malpractice insurance. Every
insurance policy or contract for such insurance
shall provide for the payment and satisfaction of
any financial judgment entered against the Opera-
tor and present insured or any person driving
the insured vehicle. Such insurance shall be
obtained and certificates or certified copies of
such policies shall be filed with the Board. All
such insurance policies, certificates thereof or
certified copies of such insurance policies shall
provide for a thirty (30) day cancellation notice
to the Board.
(Ord. No. 04-12, § 19; Ord. No. 2024-25, § 20)
Sec. 50-71. Conduct of Drivers and
Attendants.
All drivers, EMTs and paramedics shall comply
with the laws of the State of Florida, in order to
meet the requirements set out in this Ordinance.
No driver, EMT or paramedic registered hereunder
shall:
A. Fail or refuse to promptly transport, if
applicable, or attend any sick or injured
person after responding to a call.
B. Demand or receive compensation other
that established and approved in
accordance with this Ordinance or fail to
give a receipt for moneys received (if
applicable).
C. Give or allow rebate, commission, discount
or any reduced rate not provided in the
established rate (if applicable).
D. At any time induce or seek to induce any
person engaging an ambulance or ALS
service to patronize or retain the services
of any hospital, convalescent home, mortu-
ary, cemetery, attorney, accident investiga-
tor, nurse, medical doctor or other service
occupation or profession.
E. At any time release a patient from the
Operator's care until there is assurance
that some responsible person is available
to receive such patient.
F. Disobey the lawful orders of the law
enforcement officer at the scene of an
§ 50-67 COLLIER COUNTY CODE
CD50:14Supp. No. 116
accident, or other similar such emergency
or at a fire scene, the fire officer in
charge.
(Ord. No. 04-12, § 20; Ord. No. 2011-36, § 9; Ord.
No. 2024-25, § 21)
Sec. 50-72. Passengers.
No person shall be aboard ambulances when
engaged in emergency or routine calls except the
following:
A. Driver, attendants and fire or law enforce-
ment personnel;
B. Patients;
C. Relatives or close friends of the patient
when authorized by the Operator of the
ambulance;
D. Physicians and nurses;
E. Personnel in an observing capacity that
are being trained for ambulance or ALS
service; or
F. Operator's supervisory personnel.
(Ord. No. 04-12, § 21; Ord. No. 2011-36, § 10;
Ord. No. 2024-25, § 22)
Sec. 50-73. Obedience to Traffic Laws,
Ordinances or Regulations.
A. Under the provisions of Florida state law,
the driver of an ambulance or ALS vehicle when
responding to an emergency call or while
transporting a patient, may disregard laws,
ordinances or regulations governing direction or
movement or turning in specified directions so
long as he does not endanger life or property
when the driver has reasonable grounds to believe
that an emergency in fact exists requiring the
disregard of such laws.
B. The exemption herein granted shall apply
only when such vehicle is making use of audible
and/or visible signals meeting the requirements
of this Ordinance.
C. The foregoing provisions shall not relieve
the driver of a vehicle from the duty to drive with
due regard for the safety of all persons, nor shall
such provisions protect the driver from the
consequences of his or her reckless disregard for
the safety of others.
(Ord. No. 04-12, § 22; Ord. No. 2011-36, § 11;
Ord. No. 2024-25, § 23)
Sec. 50-74. Violations.
In addition to the remedies provided herein, a
violation of any provision of this Ordinance shall
be punishable as provided by law for the viola-
tion of County ordinances.
(Ord. No. 04-12, § 23; Ord. No. 2024-25, § 24)
Sec. 50-75. Uniformity of Application.
This Ordinance shall constitute a uniform law
applicable in all of Collier County.
(Ord. No. 04-12, § 24; Ord. No. 2024-25, § 25)
Sec. 50-76. Authority to enforce.
It is hereby declared to be the duty of the
Board, its officers, agents, employees and other
governmental agencies, the Collier County
Sheriff's Office, its deputies and agents, fire
departments, as well as the police departments
of the various municipalities falling under the
provisions of this Ordinance to strictly enforce
the provisions of this Ordinance.
(Ord. No. 04-12, § 25; Ord. No. 2024-25, § 26)
Secs. 50-77—50-100. Reserved.
ARTICLE IV. COMMUNITY AUTOMATED
EXTERNAL DEFRIBRILLATOR
PROGRAM*
Sec. 50-101. Title.
This article shall be known and may be cited
as the "Community Automatic External Defibril-
lator Program Ordinance" for Collier County.
(Ord. No. 98-36, § 1)
*Editor’s note—Ord. No. 98-36, adopted May 12, 1998,
set out provisions for a community automatic external
defibrillator program. This material was included as §§ 50-
101—50-104 at the editor's discretion. See the Code Compara-
tive Table.
§ 50-101EMERGENCY SERVICES
CD50:15Supp. No. 116
Sec. 50-102. Findings and purpose.
Pursuant to F.S. § 125.01(1)(e), the Board of
County Commissioners of Collier County, Florida
finds that it is empowered to provide ambulance
and emergency medical services. Pursuant to
article VIII of the Constitution of the State of
Florida, the Board of County Commissioners of
Collier County, Florida further finds it has the
authority to exercise broad home rules powers
and as such finds that it is in the best interest of
the citizens of Collier County to enact this
article.
It is the purpose of this article to create the
Community Automatic External Defibrillator
Program which will establish guidelines for use,
training, data collection and data recovery require-
ments and procedures for Automatic External
Defibrillators (hereinafter known as AEDs).
(Ord. No. 98-36, § 2)
Sec. 50-103. Applicability.
Notwithstanding any provisions of any other
county zoning or other ordinance to the contrary,
this article shall apply to, and be enforced in, the
incorporated as well as the unincorporated areas
of the county.
Hospitals, as defined in F.S. § 395.002(12), are
exempt from the provisions of this article.
(Ord. No. 98-36, § 3)
Sec. 50-104. Requirements and
procedures.
The following shall be the requirements and
procedures for use, training, data collection and
data recovery of the AED program:
(1) No AED shall be used in the incorporated
or unincorporated area of Collier County
without first complying with the require-
ments and procedures set forth in this
section, except as hereinafter provided in
subsection (10). It shall be the responsibil-
ity of the owner of the AED to ensure
that only trained individuals operate, or
have access to, the AED.
(2) The purchase of AED's will be done only
after a written request is made to the
Collier County Emergency Medical
Services Department by the individual,
organization or company requesting the
purchase of an AED. The written request
must contain the name, location, number
of units, number of people to service and
type and manufacturer of the AED.
(3) Upon receipt of the written request to
purchase, the EMS department will
coordinate a training class for the request-
ing party, and all intended users of the
AED, on the proper operation of AEDs.
Training will consist of a required class
which will include:
a. History of sudden death.
b. Signs and symptoms of cardiac
arrest.
c. Adult cardio-pulmonary resuscita-
tion.
d. Proper use, maintenance and
periodic inspection of the AED.
(4) Upon proof of successful completion of
the above-required training, the Collier
County EMS medical director will then
issue a prescription for the purchase of
an AED which has been approved, and
authorized for purchase, by the Food and
Drug Administration.
(5) Users of the AED will follow the policies
and procedures developed and authorized
by the Collier County Emergency Medi-
cal Services Department Medical Direc-
tor. These policies and procedures will be
provided to the individual, organization
or company requesting the purchase of
an AED upon the successful completion
of the training required by this section.
(6) Re-certification of users and inspection
of the AED will be done on bi-annual
basis by the Collier County Emergency
Medical Services Department.
(7) The Collier County Emergency Medical
Services Department will conduct qual-
ity assurance testing after use of the
AED. The quality assurance testing will
be on the proper use, placement and
maintenance of the AED. An additional
use of such testing will be to gather
§ 50-102 COLLIER COUNTY CODE
CD50:16Supp. No. 116
statistical information on the benefits
AED availability provides to the com-
munity.
(8) Any person who uses an AED is required
to contact the EMS department as soon
as reasonably possible upon use of the
AED.
(9) Upon notification of the use of an AED,
the EMS department will be responsible
for the collection and recovery of data
generated by the AED. The owner of the
AED will not unreasonably withhold
consent to the retrieval of such data or to
any quality assurance testing.
The manner in which data is recovered
will be dictated by the capability of the
particular AED unit, since the method of
data collection differs depending upon
the type of AED. All data, once recovered
by the EMS department, will be stored at
a centralized database to be located and
operated by the Collier County EMS
Department.
(10) In the event an individual not trained in
the use of an AED is the only person
available to operate the AED, and
emergency medical services has been
activated, an AED-emergency medical
dispatch certified 911 operator shall be
authorized to instruct that individual on
the proper operation and use of the AED.
All other provisions of this section which
are not inconsistent with subsection (10)
remain in full force and effect.
(Ord. No. 98-36, § 4; Ord. No. 99-43, § 1, 6-8-99;
Ord. No. 03-22, § 1, 5-13-03)
Secs. 50-105—50-130. Reserved.
§ 50-130EMERGENCY SERVICES
CD50:17Supp. No. 116
Chapters 51-53
RESERVED
CD51:1