Chapter 13. Air Ambulance Service
Regulation .01 Scope.LinkCopy Citation
This chapter governs the requirements for a commercial air ambulance service.
Regulation .02 In General.LinkCopy Citation
A.
To be licensed as a commercial care air ambulance service, a commercial air ambulance service shall comply with the requirements of this chapter in addition to the other applicable requirements of this subtitle.
B.
An applicant for a commercial air ambulance service license shall submit an application to SOCALR on the required form.
C.
An applicant for a commercial air ambulance service license shall:
(1)
Be accredited by CAMTS; or
(2)
If ineligible to apply for CAMTS accreditation, because it has been in service for less than 1 year:
(a)
Submit to SOCALR a CAMTS consultation report indicating compliance with the CAMTS standards; and
(b)
Apply for and receive full CAMTS accreditation within 18 months of being licensed by SOCALR.
D.
A licensed commercial air ambulance service shall notify SOCALR within 24 hours of any change in CAMTS accreditation status and the reason for the change.
E.
A licensed commercial air ambulance service may provide ALS, critical care, or neonatal transport service, or any combination of these, if:
(1)
The equipment and personnel requirements of this subtitle are met for the specific type of transport;
(2)
The submitted service license application includes the information required, demonstrating compliance for the specific type of transport; and
(3)
The service is accredited by CAMTS at that level.
F.
A licensed commercial air ambulance service may not provide services with an unlicensed air ambulance unless:
(1)
The unlicensed air ambulance is used as a temporary replacement for a licensed air ambulance that is out of service for routine maintenance or repair;
(2)
The temporary replacement air ambulance meets all FAA requirements;
(3)
The temporary replacement air ambulance has all required staffing and equipment; and
(4)
It has notified SOCALR of the use of the replacement air ambulance and provided the following information:
(a)
The unit designation number assigned for operational purposes;
(b)
The FAA registration number; and
(c)
The make, model, and year of manufacture.
G.
A licensed commercial air ambulance service that provides services with an unlicensed air ambulance shall notify SOCALR when the licensed air ambulance is returned to service.
Regulation .03 Additional Personnel Requirements for Commercial Air Ambulance Services.LinkCopy Citation
A commercial air ambulance shall be staffed by:
A.
A pilot who meets the requirements of licensure established by the Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Parts 61, 67, and 135; and
B.
At least two additional individuals who meet or exceed the requirements for CAMTS accreditation at the level which the service is providing.
Regulation .04 Additional Equipment Requirements for Air Ambulances.LinkCopy Citation
A.
Each air ambulance shall carry sufficient equipment and supplies listed in COMAR 30.09.10—13 to assure:
(1)
The ability to carry out all procedures in the Maryland Medical Protocols for EMS Providers; and
(2)
That when transporting specialty care patients, the additional equipment necessary to care for the patient being transported is available;
B.
A list of medical equipment and supplies will be provided to SOCALR with the licensing application.
C.
All medical, communications, and associated equipment on-board:
(1)
If routinely carried, shall be EMI certified for air operations; or
(2)
If not routinely used, shall be approved by the pilot.
Regulation .05 Operational Requirements for Air Ambulance Services.LinkCopy Citation
A.
Pilots of rotary wing air ambulances shall remain with the aircraft when the aircraft is occupying a hospital helipad with room for landing a single aircraft.
B.
SYSCOM shall coordinate the landing sequence of multiple emergency medical services aircraft in consultation with the pilots-in-command based on patient priority.
C.
Commercial air ambulance services shall:
(1)
Comply with the requirements of COMAR 30.07; and
(2)
Keep SYSCOM apprised of the location of their air ambulance at all times while the aircraft is in Maryland or in geographic proximity to the Maryland border in a contiguous state.
Chapter annotations
Authority: Education Article, §§13-508 and 13-515, Annotated Code of Maryland
History: Effective date: October 15, 2004 (31:20 Md. R. 1486)