Licensing for Ground Ambulance

1.1.1. A provider of ambulance service can be licensed by the Division of Emergency Medical Services as an ambulance service by request and by signing a completed application for service license (EMS Form 1). An inspection of premises must be made. A member of the OEPR staff will complete the EMS Form 1 due to the coding requirements of the form.

1.1.2. If it is determined that the provider meets all requirements, the OEPR staff member has the authority to grant a license at the time of inspection. The owner copy of EMS Form 1 shall serve as proof of service license until permanent document is received by owner. The license is valid for one (1) year from date of issuance. Any change of service ownership constitutes issuance of a new license and permit(s).

1.1.3. Applicants for ambulance service license must provide a roster of all employees including Medical First Responders, EMTs, EMS-Ds, dispatchers, RNs, and others if appropriate. This list must include state-issued certification and/or license numbers where applicable.

1.1.4. Applicant must submit one copy of the plan of medical control at least 30 days prior to service start date. The plan must include the patient destination criteria and treatment protocols for the trauma patient as delineated by the State Trauma Plan. Plan must include the names of all off-line and on-line medical directors accompanied by credentials, proof of Mississippi physician licensure and controlled substances registration number. In addition, controlled substances registration number and DEA required controlled substances registration certificate for non-hospital based paramedic services for the off-line medical director. Only the lead on-line medical director or each medical control hospital need be listed. Additionally the primary resource hospital and associate receiving hospital(s); description of methods of medical control; quality
assurance and skill maintenance process must be included (See Appendix 1).

1.1.5. Applicant must provide a letter signed by the off-line medical director stating he/she approves the ambulance provider’s protocols and understands his/her responsibilities as stated in Appendix 1 of the Mississippi EMS Law, Rules and Regulations. This statement may be on forms provided by OEPR.

1.1.6. Applicant must provide evidence of 24-hour continuous service capabilities including back-up. Should also include staffing pattern and affiliations with non-transporting ALS services where applicable.

1.1.7. Applicant must provide a description of its communications capabilities, however - minimally - the system must be capable of communicating with the primary resource hospital throughout its immediate area of response.*

1.1.8 911 is the universal emergency phone number for public access of Emergency Medical Services in the State. Ambulance service providers shall only advertise 911 as their emergency number. Exception: If a municipality or county has not implemented 911, then for that area, a seven-digit phone number may be used. This exception must have prior approval in writing by the OEPR. It is the intent of this regulation that 911, the universal access number for EMS, be the only emergency number advertised to the public. Any advertisement of a non-emergency phone number must include a prominent display of 911 or other OEPR approved emergency phone number.

*(Bio-medical telemetry is not required if so documented in the communications plan by the medical director).