Washington · statute · Wash. Rev. Code ch. 18.73 · 27 active provisions
The legislature finds that a statewide program of emergency medical care is necessary to promote the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of this state. The intent of the legislature is to assure minimum standards and training for first responders and emergency medical technicians, and minimum standards for ambu…
The legislature further declares its intention to supersede all ordinances, regulations, and requirements promulgated by counties, cities and other political subdivisions of the state of Washington, insofar as they may provide for the regulation of emergency medical care, first aid, and ambulance services which do not…
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.(1) "Advanced life support" means invasive emergency medical services requiring advanced medical treatment skills as defined by chapter 18.71 RCW.(2) "Aid service" means an organization that operates one or more…
In addition to other duties prescribed by law, the secretary shall:(1) Prescribe minimum requirements for:(a) Ambulance, air ambulance, organ transport vehicles, and aid vehicles and equipment;(b) Ambulance and aid services; and(c) Minimum emergency communication equipment;(2) Adopt procedures for services that fail to…
The secretary may grant a variance from a provision of this chapter and RCW 18.71.200 through 18.71.220 if no detriment to health and safety would result from the variance and compliance is expected to cause reduction or loss of existing emergency medical services. Variances may be granted for a period of no more than…
The secretary shall recognize a current certificate of advanced first aid qualification for those who provide proof of advanced Red Cross training or its equivalent.
An ambulance service or aid service may not operate in the state of Washington without holding a license for such operation, issued by the secretary when such operation is consistent with the statewide and regional emergency medical services and trauma care plans established pursuant to chapter 70.168 RCW, indicating t…
The secretary shall issue an ambulance, organ transport vehicle, or aid vehicle license for each vehicle so designated. The license shall be for a period of two years and may be reissued on expiration if the vehicle and its equipment meet requirements in force at the time of expiration of the license period. The licens…
The secretary shall adopt a self-inspection program to assure compliance with minimum standards for vehicles and for medical equipment and personnel on all licensed vehicles. The self-inspection shall coincide with the vehicle licensing cycle and shall be recorded on forms provided by the department. The department may…
(1)(a) Any ambulance operated as such shall operate with sufficient personnel for adequate patient care, at least one of whom shall be an emergency medical technician under standards promulgated by the secretary. The emergency medical technician shall have responsibility for its operation and for the care of patients b…
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, an emergency medical technician shall become recertified every three years.(2) An emergency medical technician who has been certified in Washington for at least 10 years shall become recertified every six years.
An applicant with military training or experience satisfies the training or experience requirements of this chapter unless the secretary determines that the military training or experience is not substantially equivalent to the standards of this state.
The department shall develop a process for authorizing a student who is 16 years of age to begin an emergency medical services training course administered by a state-approved skill center or other bona fide vocational educational program approved by the office of the superintendent of public instruction, provided that…
The aid vehicle shall be operated in accordance with standards promulgated by the secretary, by at least one person holding a certificate recognized under RCW 18.73.120.The aid vehicle may be used for transportation of patients only when it is impossible or impractical to obtain an ambulance or when a wait for arrival…
Other vehicles not herein defined by this chapter shall not be used for transportation of patients who must be carried on a stretcher or who may require medical attention en route, except that such transportation may be used when:(1) A disaster creates a situation that cannot be served by licensed ambulances; or(2) The…
Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter and for which a penalty is not provided shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof, shall be fined in any sum not exceeding one hundred dollars for each day of the violation, or may be imprisoned in the county jail not exceeding six…
The administrative procedure act, chapter 34.05 RCW, shall wherever applicable govern the rights, remedies, and procedures respecting the administration of this chapter.
The uniform disciplinary act, chapter 18.130 RCW, shall govern the issuance and denial of credentials, unauthorized practice, and the discipline of persons credentialed under this chapter. The secretary shall act as the disciplinary authority under this chapter. Disciplinary action shall be initiated against a person c…
(1) All of the state's ambulance and aid services shall make epinephrine available to their emergency medical technicians in their emergency care supplies. The emergency medical technician may administer epinephrine.(2) Nothing in this section authorizes the administration of epinephrine by a first responder.
(1) The department of health shall convene a stakeholder group including the department of social and health services, the department of transportation, and local special needs transportation providers who shall assist in the development of guidelines for the safe transport of individuals who rely on stretchers and per…
(1) Except when treatment is provided in a hospital licensed under chapter 70.41 RCW, a physician's trained advanced emergency medical technician and paramedic, emergency medical technician, or first responder who renders treatment to a patient for (a) a bullet wound, gunshot wound, powder burn, or other injury arising…
An ambulance service may transport patients to a nonmedical facility, such as a mental health facility or chemical dependency program as authorized in regional emergency medical services and trauma care plans under RCW 70.168.100.
(1) An organ transport service may not operate in the state of Washington without holding a license for such operation, issued by the secretary in consultation with the department of licensing.(2) Organ transport services must ensure that personnel operating organ transport vehicles:(a) Are at least 25 years of age;(b)…
If the insurance commissioner reports to the department that they have cause to believe that a ground ambulance services organization has engaged in a pattern of violations of RCW 48.49.200, and the report is substantiated after investigation, the department may levy a fine upon the ground ambulance services organizati…
(1) The Washington state institute for public policy, in collaboration with the department, the health care authority, and the office of the insurance commissioner, shall conduct a study on the extent to which other states fund or have considered funding emergency medical services substantially or entirely through fede…