Superseded 7/1/2024)

Superseded 7/1/2024
26B-4-151.  Exclusive geographic service areas.

(1)  Each ground ambulance provider license issued under Sections 26B-4-150 through 26B-4-170 shall be for an exclusive geographic service area as described in the license. Only the licensed ground ambulance provider may respond to an ambulance request that originates within the provider’s exclusive geographic service area, except as provided in Subsection (5) and Section 26B-4-170.

Terms Used In Utah Code 26B-4-151

  • Ambulance: means a ground, air, or water vehicle that:
(a) transports patients and is used to provide emergency medical services; and
(b) is required to obtain a permit under Section 26B-4-118 to operate in the state. See Utah Code 26B-4-101
  • Ambulance provider: means an emergency medical service provider that:
    (a) transports and provides emergency medical care to patients; and
    (b) is required to obtain a license under Sections 26B-4-150 through 26B-4-170. See Utah Code 26B-4-101
  • Committee: means the State Emergency Medical Services Committee created by Section 26B-1-204. See Utah Code 26B-4-101
  • Paramedic provider: means an entity that:
    (a) employs emergency medical service personnel; and
    (b) is required to obtain a license under Sections 26B-4-150 through 26B-4-170. See Utah Code 26B-4-101
  • Political subdivision: means :
    (a) a city, town, or metro township;
    (b) a county;
    (c) a special service district created under Title 17D, Chapter 1, Special Service District Act, for the purpose of providing fire protection services under Subsection 17D-1-201(9);
    (d) a special district created under Title 17B, Limited Purpose Local Government Entities - Special Districts, for the purpose of providing fire protection, paramedic, and emergency services;
    (e) areas coming together as described in Subsection 26B-4-156(2)(b)(ii); or
    (f) an interlocal entity under Title 11, Chapter 13, Interlocal Cooperation Act. See Utah Code 26B-4-101
    (2)  Each paramedic provider license issued under Sections 26B-4-150 through 26B-4-170 shall be for an exclusive geographic service area as described in the license. Only the licensed paramedic provider may respond to a paramedic request that originates within the exclusive geographic service area, except as provided in Subsection (6) and Section 26B-4-170.

    (3)  Nothing in this section may be construed as either requiring or prohibiting that the formation of boundaries in a given location be the same for a licensed paramedic provider and a licensed ambulance provider.

    (4) 

    (a)  A licensed ground ambulance or paramedic provider may, as necessary, enter into a mutual aid agreement to allow another licensed provider to give assistance in times of unusual demand, as that term is defined by the committee in rule.

    (b)  A mutual aid agreement shall include a formal written plan detailing the type of assistance and the circumstances under which it would be given.

    (c)  The parties to a mutual aid agreement shall submit a copy of the agreement to the department.

    (d)  Notwithstanding this Subsection (4), a licensed provider may not subcontract with another entity to provide services in the licensed provider’s exclusive geographic service area.

    (5)  Notwithstanding Subsection (1), a licensed ground ambulance provider may respond to an ambulance request that originates from the exclusive geographic area of another provider:

    (a)  pursuant to a mutual aid agreement;

    (b)  to render assistance on a case-by-case basis to that provider; and

    (c)  as necessary to meet needs in time of disaster or other major emergency.

    (6)  Notwithstanding Subsection (2), a licensed paramedic provider may respond to a paramedic request that originates from the exclusive geographic area of another provider:

    (a)  pursuant to a mutual aid agreement;

    (b)  to render assistance on a case-by-case basis to that provider; and

    (c)  as necessary to meet needs in time of disaster or other major emergency.

    (7)  The department may, upon the renewal of a license, align the boundaries of an exclusive geographic area with the boundaries of a political subdivision:

    (a)  if the alignment is practical and in the public interest;

    (b)  if each licensed provider that would be affected by the alignment agrees to the alignment; and

    (c)  taking into consideration the requirements of:

    (i)  Section 11-48-103; and

    (ii)  Section 26B-4-162.

    Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 307, 2023 General Session