Section 438.APPENDIX I   Special Requirements for Medical Transport Vehicles (Ambulances, Medical Carriers and Rescue Vehicles)

In addition to Appendix A through Appendix E, all medical transport vehicles shall comply with the following:

a)         AMBULANCE REQUIREMENTS

1)         REGISTRATION

PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS

Each ambulance shall display special ambulance registration plates. 

Check registration plates on ambulance.

REJECT VEHICLE IF:

Ambulance does not display ambulance license plates.

2)         LIGHTS AND LAMPS

PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS

Each ambulance must be equipped with at least one light that emits a bright oscillating, rotating or flashing red beam, directed in part to the front of the vehicle.  The light or lights shall have sufficient intensity to be visible at 500 feet in normal sunlight. (See IVC Section 12-215.)

Inspect ambulance for required light.

REJECT VEHICLE IF:

Required light is absent or not in working condition.

3)         SIREN

PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS

Each ambulance must be equipped with a loud siren producing an audible signal of an intensity of 100 decibels at a distance of 50 feet from the siren.

Check ambulance for required siren.

REJECT VEHICLE IF:

Required siren is absent or not in working condition.

b)         MEDICAL CARRIER REQUIREMENTS

1)         SIREN, WHISTLE OR BELL

PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS

Medical carriers are prohibited from having a siren, whistle or bell.

REJECT VEHICLE IF:

A siren, whistle or bell is present (does not include back-up alarm).

2)         LIGHTS AND LAMPS

PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS

Lights and Lamps:

A medical carrier may have a yellow (amber) oscillating, rotating or flashing light. 

If the vehicle is so equipped, the amber oscillating, rotating or flashing light must be directed in part to the front of the vehicle.  The light shall have sufficient intensity to be visible at 500 feet in normal sunlight. (See IVC Section 12-215.)

Turn Signals:

All turn signals may flash simultaneously on both sides to indicate the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard that requires unusual care in approaching, overtaking or passing.

Auxiliary Turn Signals:

A medical carrier may have auxiliary turn signals on the roof, or lower, if those signals are at the same height on each side.  Front turn signals shall be yellow or white.  Rear turn signals shall be either yellow or red.  Auxiliary turn signals shall be actuated only by the same control that actuates the regular, or standard, turn signals.

Auxiliary (top) and standard (bottom) turn signals may alternately flash top and bottom, but not alternately right and left.  Any auxiliary turn signals shall be actuated by the same control that causes the regular, or standard, turn signals to flash simultaneously on both sides as a vehicular hazard signal.

REJECT VEHICLE IF:

Any oscillating, rotating or flashing light is not yellow (or amber) or is not in working condition.

Any turn signal is at wrong height, or any turn signal is wrong color, or all turn signals do not operate from same control.

Lights flash alternately right and left, or any upper or lower pairs of turn signals do not flash simultaneously or all turn signals are not actuated by the same "hazard" control.

3)         WHEELCHAIR LIFT, RAMP, SECUREMENT ANCHORAGES AND DEVICES

PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS

If the vehicle is equipped with an operating lift or ramp, wheelchair securement anchorages and wheelchair securement devices must be present.

REJECT VEHICLE IF:

Vehicle is equipped with an operating lift or ramp but wheelchair securement anchorages or securement devices are missing.

c)         RESCUE VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS

1)         SIREN

PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS

Rescue vehicles must have a loud siren producing an audible signal of an intensity of 100 decibels at a distance of 50 feet from the siren.

Inspect rescue vehicle for required siren.

REJECT VEHICLE IF:

Required siren is absent or not in working condition.

2)         LIGHTS AND LAMPS

PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS

Rescue vehicles must have at least one light that emits a bright oscillating, rotating or flashing red beam, directed in part to the front of the vehicle.  The light or lights shall have sufficient intensity to be visible at 500 feet in normal sunlight.  (See IVC Section 12-215.)

REJECT VEHICLE IF:

Required light is absent or not in working condition.