41-1834. Authority for operation of air and
other ambulance service; contract for aircraft service; precluded
uses
A. For the primary purpose of providing the most timely, efficient and
comprehensive emergency medical services possible, the director may, subject to the
availability of funds, purchase, equip, staff and be responsible for maintaining
aircraft, including helicopters, or may lease or contract for such equipment and
services. Aircraft and helicopters shall also be used in law enforcement
activities. The aircraft provided by this section may be made available for emergency
medical services at any time there is a medical emergency requiring the use of evacuation
aircraft, as determined by a law enforcement agency or a physician. Emergency medical
air evacuation shall normally take precedence over routine law enforcement missions. The
director shall make the final decision relative to such aircraft utilization.
B. Each medical evacuation aircraft or helicopter shall be capable of carrying two
litter patients and one paramedic in addition to the ambulance pilot.
C. The director may contract with a private firm, a corporation or an individual
for the maintenance of the aircraft, including helicopters.
D. The director may enter into contracts with private firms or individuals for
emergency surface or air ambulance services when no other such services are readily
available or when deemed to be in the best interests of the state.
E. Medical evacuation aircraft, including helicopters, operated by the department
shall not be used to provide transportation for officials of the state or any of its
political subdivisions. This does not preclude the use of medical evacuation aircraft by
such officials when required in the course of a law enforcement function or emergency or
when such official is the victim of an emergency medical situation.
F. Notwithstanding subsection E, the director may enter into interagency service
agreements with other state agencies for the use of helicopters and other aircraft that
the department will operate to provide aviation services on an availability basis when
the department deems that these services are in the best interests of this state. These
services may be in addition to the services the department provides pursuant to this
chapter but shall not preclude the delivery of emergency evacuation services provided for
under this chapter. The amount of monies collected from state agencies for aviation
services shall not exceed the operational costs of the aircraft.
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