In accordance with protocols and procedures which it established by rules adopted pursuant to this Act, the Department may grant a waiver to any provision of this Act or rule adopted pursuant to this Act for a specified period of time determined appropriate by the Department.
     Any entity may apply in writing to the Department for a waiver to specific requirements or standards for which it considers compliance to be a hardship. The Department may grant a waiver on such applications when it can be demonstrated that there will be no reduction in standards of medical care as determined by the EMS Medical Director or the Department.
     The Department shall establish a specific mechanism for granting hardship waivers to the Act’s licensure fee requirements.