Chapter 31. Virginia Emergency Medical Services Regulations

A. An EMS agency shall hold the permit to an EMS vehicle or have a written agreement for the access to and use of an EMS vehicle. An EMS agency that does not use an EMS vehicle shall maintain the required equipment and supplies for a nontransport response vehicle. B. Adequate sto…

A. An area used for storage of drugs and administration devices and a drug kit used on an EMS vehicle shall comply with requirements established by the Virginia Board of Pharmacy and the applicable drug manufacturer's recommendations for climate-controlled storage. B. Drugs and d…

An EMS agency is responsible for the preparation and maintenance of records that shall be available for inspection by the Office of EMS as follows: 1. Records and reports shall at all times be stored in a manner to ensure reasonable safety from water and fire damage and from unau…

A. An EMS agency shall have a current personnel record for each individual affiliated with the EMS agency. Each file shall contain documentation of certification, training and qualifications for the positions held. B. An EMS agency shall have a record for each individual affiliat…

An EMS agency shall have records for each vehicle currently in use to include maintenance reports demonstrating adherence to manufacturer's recommendations for preventive maintenance, valid vehicle registration, safety inspection, vehicle insurance coverage and any reportable mot…

A. An original PPCR shall specifically identify by name the personnel who meet the staffing requirements of the EMS vehicle. B. The PPCR shall include the name and identification number of all EMS Personnel on the EMS vehicle and the signature of the attendant-in-charge. C. The r…

A. An EMS agency must submit an "EMS Agency Status Report" to the Office of EMS within 30 days of a request or change in status of the following: 1. Chief executive officer. 2. Training officer. 3. Designated infection control officer. B. The EMS agency shall provide the leadersh…

An EMS agency shall have readily available at each station a current copy of these regulations for reference use by its officers and personnel. Statutory Authority§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-111.4 of the Code of Virginia.

A. An EMS agency shall have a minimum of one operational medical director (OMD) who is a licensed physician holding endorsement as an EMS physician from the Office of EMS. An EMS agency shall enter into a written agreement with an EMS physician to serve as OMD with the EMS agency…

A request for a variance may be approved and issued by the commissioner provided all of the following conditions are met: 1. The information contained in the request is complete and correct; 2. The agency, service, vehicle or person concerned is licensed, permitted or certified b…

An EMS agency shall have an ongoing Quality Management (QM) Program designed to objectively, systematically and continuously monitor, assess and improve the quality and appropriateness of patient care provided by the agency. The QM Program shall be integrated and include activiti…

A. A designated emergency response agency shall develop or participate in a written local EMS response plan that addresses the following items: 1. The designated emergency response agency shall develop and maintain, in coordination with their locality, a written plan to provide 2…

A. A designated emergency response agency shall provide aid to all other designated emergency response agencies within the locality. B. A designated emergency response agency shall maintain written mutual aid agreements with adjacent designated emergency response agencies in anot…

Article 2 Emergency Medical Services Vehicle Permit A. A person may not operate or maintain any motor vehicle, vessel or craft as an EMS vehicle without a valid permit or in violation of the terms of a valid permit. B. An EMS agency shall file written application for a permit on …

A. A temporary EMS vehicle permit may be issued for a permanent replacement or additional EMS vehicle pending inspection. A temporary EMS vehicle permit will not be issued for a vehicle requesting a "reserved" permit. B. An EMS agency shall file written application for a temporar…

A. An application for an EMS vehicle permit shall be denied by the Office of EMS if any conditions of these regulations fail to be met. B. The Office of EMS will notify the applicant or licensee of the denial in writing in the event that a permit is denied. Statutory Authority§§ …

A. An EMS vehicle permit shall be affixed on the EMS vehicle, readily visible, and in a location and manner specified by the Office of EMS. B. An EMS vehicle may not be operated without a properly displayed EMS vehicle permit. Statutory Authority§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-111.4 of the C…

An EMS vehicle may not be marked or lettered to indicate a level of care or type of service other than that for which it is permitted. Statutory Authority§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-111.4 of the Code of Virginia.

A. Renewal of an EMS vehicle permit may be granted following an inspection if the EMS agency and EMS vehicle comply with these regulations. B. If the Office of EMS is unable to take action on renewal of an EMS vehicle permit before expiration, the permit will remain in effect unt…

A variance shall include but not be limited to the following information: 1. The name of the agency, service or vehicle to which, or the person to whom, the variance applies; 2. The expiration date of the variance; 3. The provision of the regulations that is to be varied and the …

Article 3 Emergency Medical Services Vehicle Classifications and Requirements An EMS vehicle shall be maintained in good repair and safe operating condition and shall meet the same motor vehicle, vessel or aircraft safety requirements as apply to all vehicles, vessels or craft in…

A. An occupant shall use mechanical restraints as required by the Code of Virginia. Stretcher patients shall be secured on the stretcher utilizing a minimum of three straps unless contraindicated by patient condition. B. Equipment and supplies in the patient compartment shall be …

The following requirements for sanitary conditions and supplies apply to an EMS vehicle in accordance with standards established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Virginia Occupational Safety and Health Law: 1. The interior of an EMS vehicle, includi…

A. An EMS vehicle is subject to, and shall be available for, inspection by the Office of EMS or its designee, for compliance with these regulations. An inspection may be in addition to other federal, state or local inspections required for the EMS vehicle by law. B. The Office of…

An EMS vehicle shall have emergency warning lights and audible devices as approved by the Superintendent of Virginia State Police, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries or the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as applicable. 1. A ground EMS vehicle shall have flash…

A. An EMS vehicle shall have fixed communications equipment that provides direct two-way voice communications capabilities between the EMS vehicle, other EMS vehicles of the same agency, and either the agency's base of operations (dispatch point) or a governmental public safety a…

A. The vehicle body of a nontransport response vehicle, a ground ambulance or a neonatal ambulance must be marked with a reflective horizontal band permanently affixed to the sides and rear of the vehicle body. This horizontal reflective band must be of a material approved for ex…

A. On a primary air ambulance, the following must appear in permanently affixed lettering that is a minimum of three inches in height and of a color that contrasts with its surrounding background. Lettering must comply with the restrictions and specifications listed in these regu…

A. The EMS agency name must appear in lettering larger than any optional lettering on an EMS vehicle, other than "Ambulance," the unit identification number, or any lettering on the roof. Optional lettering, logos, or emblems may not appear on an EMS vehicle in a manner that inte…

A variance shall be issued and remain valid with the following conditions: 1. A variance will be valid for a period not to exceed one year unless and until terminated by the commissioner; and 2. A variance is neither transferable nor renewable under any circumstances. Statutory A…

A. A vehicle maintained and operated for response to the location of a medical emergency to provide immediate medical care at the basic or advanced life support level (excluding patient transport) shall be permitted as a nontransport response vehicle. A nontransport response vehi…

A. A vehicle maintained and operated for response to the location of a medical emergency to provide immediate medical care at the basic or advanced life support level and for the transportation of patients shall be permitted as a ground ambulance. B. A ground ambulance must be co…

A. An EMS agency licensed to operate nontransport response vehicles or ground ambulances with ALS personnel shall maintain a minimum of one vehicle equipped with an ALS equipment package of the highest category licensed. ALS equipment packages consist of the following categories:…

A. A vehicle maintained and operated exclusively for the transport of neonatal patients between medical facilities shall be permitted as a neonatal ambulance. A neonatal ambulance shall not be used for response to out-of-hospital medical emergencies. B. A neonatal ambulance must …

(Repealed.)

In addition to the items otherwise listed in this article, an EMS vehicle must be equipped with all of the items required for its vehicle classification and any ALS equipment package it carries as listed in 12VAC5-31-860. Statutory Authority§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-111.4 of the Code o…

A. A nontransport vehicle shall carry the following: 1. Basic life support equipment. a. Automated external defibrillator (AED) with two sets of patient pads. This may be a combination device that also has manual defibrillation capability (1). b. Pocket mask or disposable airway …

Article 4 Air Medical Regulations, Rotor and Fixed Wing Operations A. General provisions. Air medial public service agencies will meet or exceed Federal Aviation Regulations, 14 CFR Part 91, and commercial operators will meet or exceed 14 CFR Part 135. B. Interruption of service …

Operational policies must be present to address the following areas pursuant to medical flight personnel: 1. Hearing protection. 2. Protective clothing and dress codes relative to: a. Mission type; and b. Infection control. 3. Flight status during pregnancy. 4. Flight status duri…

Air medical service personnel classifications are as follows: 1. Air medical crew (rotary). a. A pilot-in-command in accordance with current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements. b. An attendant-in-charge shall be an air medical specialist who must be one of the fol…

A. The air medical agency shall have a planned and structured program in which all medical transport personnel must participate. Competency and currency must be ensured and documented through relevant continuing education programs or certification programs listed in this section.…

A. Aircraft equipment. 1. General aircraft inspection requirements. a. Current FAA documented compliance. b. Current EMS permit posted. c. Interior and supplies clean and sanitary. d. Exterior clean. e. Equipment in good working order. f. Current USDOT Emergency Response Book. 2.…

A. The commissioner may terminate a variance at any time based upon any of the following: 1. Violations of any of the conditions of the variance; 2. Falsification of any information; 3. Suspension or revocation of the license, permit or certificate affected; or 4. A determination…

Article 5 EMS Personnel Requirements and Standard of Conduct EMS personnel shall meet and maintain compliance with the following general requirements: 1. Be a minimum of 16 years of age. (An EMS agency may have associated personnel who are less than 16 years of age. This person i…

A. General denial. Application for affiliation or certification of individuals convicted of certain crimes present an unreasonable risk to public health and safety. Thus, applications for affiliation or certification by individuals convicted of the following crimes will be denied…

EMS personnel shall comply with all federal, state, and local laws applicable to their EMS operations. Statutory Authority§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-111.4 of the Code of Virginia.