Subtitle 3 – Ambulance Service - Fees
Current through 2026-07-17. Source: City of Balt., Md., Ord. 26-129. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.
Balt., Md., Code art. 9, § 3-1 (2026)
§ 3-1 Definitions.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Basic life support transport.
“Basic life support transport” means transportation provided to sustain and support the life processes and change the outcome of a life-threatening disease or injury for patients who must be transported for hospital care.
(b)Advanced life support transport.
“Advanced life support transport” means transportation provided to enhance the successful outcome of an unstable patient with a life-threatening disease or injury by use of invasive drug therapy and who needs immediate transportation to a hospital or specialty center.
History: Ord. 89-381
Balt., Md., Code art. 9, § 3-2 (2026)
§ 3-2 Authority to set fees.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
Beginning July 1, 1989, the Chief of the Fire Department shall have the power and authority to charge fees to any member of the public who utilizes ambulance services provided by the Emergency Medical Services Division of the Fire Department within the City of Baltimore.
(b)Condition of charging.
No fee authorized by this section may be charged unless all employees of the Fire Department who may be called upon to provide emergency medical services or ambulance transport to members of the public either:
(1)
enjoy statutory immunity from claims for damages for tortious acts or omissions committed by them while providing such services; or
(2)
are indemnified against claims for damages through a program of insurance purchased by the City from a private carrier, the City’s Self-Insurance Fund, or other appropriations authorized by the Mayor and City Council.
(c)Initial fees.
The initial fee charged shall not exceed:
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>For basic life support transport</td>
<td>$75</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>For an advanced life support transport</td>
<td>$100</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
(d)Change of fees.
(1)
The Chief shall review the fee schedule annually, and with the approval of the Board of Estimates may change the fees from time to time.
(2)
At no time shall the fee charged exceed the cost to the City of providing ambulance services.
History: Ord. 89-381
Balt., Md., Code art. 9, § 3-3 (2026)
§ 3-3 Access to services not to be affected.LinkCopy Citation
The Chief of the Fire Department shall not deny any individual access to emergency medical services as a result of the provisions of this subtitle.
History: Ord. 89-381
Balt., Md., Code art. 9, § 3-4 (2026)
§ 3-4 Use of fee revenues.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Deposit to Emergency Medical Services Fund.
All fees submitted to the City under this subtitle shall be accounted for in a special fund entitled “Emergency Medical Services Fund”.
(b)Use of Fund.
(1)
Revenues credited to the Fund shall be available for the sole purpose of supporting emergency medical services of the City, or for any other purpose which may be authorized by the annual Ordinance of Estimates.
(2)
At the end of each fiscal year, revenues received in excess of the revenue estimates, and appropriations in excess of expenditures, shall carry forward to the succeeding fiscal year and form the beginning Fund balance.
(c)Appropriations.
All appropriations made from the Emergency Medical Services Fund shall be appropriated in the Ordinance of Estimates under the title of the Fund and shall not be included as “special” fund or “other special” fund categories.
History: Ord. 89-381
Balt., Md., Code art. 9, § 3-5 (2026)
§ 3-5 Rules and regulations.LinkCopy Citation
Subject to Title 4 {“Administrative Procedure Act – Regulations”} of the <cite data-path="|general">City General Provisions Article</cite>, the Chief of the Fire Department shall adopt rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this subtitle.
History: Ord. 89-381
History: Text Conformed 02/16/21