§ 9-141. Definitions

The following terms, as used in this article shall, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, have the respective meanings herein set forth.

(a) Ambulance means a motor vehicle specifically constructed, modified, equipped or arranged and operated for the purpose of transporting patients requiring emergency services.

(b) Convalescent transport vehicle means a motor vehicle specially constructed or modified, equipped or arranged and operated for the purpose of transporting patients not requiring emergency service.

(c) Ambulance service means any private person who operates one or more ambulances. Ambulance service shall not include a person who maintains ambulances for the use of his own employees.

(d) Convalescent transport service means any private person who operates one or more convalescent transport vehicles.

(e) Ambulance service operator means any person who operates an ambulance service.

(f) Ambulance attendant means a qualified person acting as an attendant on an ambulance responding to a call and who occupies the patient compartment while transporting any patient in apparent need of medical attention.

(g) Business means any trade, business, occupation, practice or profession.

(h) City means the City of Costa Mesa, State of California.

(i) City council means the city council of the City of Costa Mesa.

(j) City manager means the city manager of the city or his authorized designee.

(k) Department means the public health and medical services of the human services agency, County of Orange.

(l) Driver means any qualified person who operates an ambulance while responding to a call and while transporting any patient.

(m) Emergency means a request for the immediate dispatch of an ambulance to transport or provide other assistance for a person apparently having a hidden unforeseen need for immediate emergency medical attention.

(n) Emergency service means the service performed in response to an emergency call.

(o) Patient means a wounded, injured, sick, invalid, convalescent or otherwise incapacitated person.

(p) Person means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, association or other group or combination acting as a unit.

(q) Licensee means any ambulance service or convalescent transport service which has been regularly granted a license to engage in the ambulance service or convalescent transport service pursuant to this article [sections 9-141—9-162].

(r) Public safety agency means any public law enforcement agency, fire protection agency, lifeguard or forest ranger operating in Orange County.

(s) Health officer means the Orange County Health Officer.

(Ord. No. 79-30, § 2, 12-17-79)