FIRE FIGHTER EXEMPTION FOR CERTAIN PATIENTS; MEDICAL TREATMENT AND TRANSPORT OPERATING GUIDELINES

(a) In this section, "fire fighter" means: (1) an individual who is defined as fire protection personnel under Section 419.021, Government Code; or (2) an individual who is a volunteer fire fighter certified by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection or the State Firefighters' and Fire Marshals' Association of Texas. (b) Notwithstanding Section 773.041, a fire fighter, regardless of whether the fire fighter is licensed as an emergency medical services provider, may transport a sick or injured patient to a health care facility in a vehicle other than an emergency medical services vehicle if: (1) the appropriate emergency medical services provider: (A) is notified of the patient's clinical condition; and (B) is unable to provide emergency medical services imminently at the patient's location; and (2) the medical treatment and transport operating guidelines for the patient's apparent clinical condition authorize transport of the patient in a vehicle other than an emergency medical services vehicle. (c) Each trauma service area regional advisory council shall develop the medical treatment and transport operating guidelines necessary to implement this section for the area served by the council and provide notice of the guidelines to the emergency medical services providers and fire fighters in that area.