Trans 309.07(2)(b)
(b) The presence of other ambulance service providers in surrounding communities that might be available to assist in emergencies through mutual aid agreements or other similar arrangements.
Trans 309.07(2)(c)
(c) The number and type of emergency and nonemergency service calls made by the applicant within the 2-year period immediately preceding the date of application.
Trans 309.07(2)(d)
(d) Any plans developed by the applicant to upgrade the existing vehicles to established specifications.
Trans 309.07(2)(e)
(e) Any other information that may be relevant to the question of the need for a variance in the particular case.
Trans 309.07(3)
(3) Each application for a variance shall be referred by the department to the department of health services for review and recommendation. The department shall give great weight to such recommendation when deciding whether a variance should be granted.
Trans 309.07(4)
(4) The issuance of a variance to any person for any ambulance does not exempt that vehicle from the biennial inspection requirements imposed in this chapter.
Trans 309.07(5)
(5) The right to continue operation of an ambulance for which a variance has been granted or recognized under this section is not transferable to any other person or vehicle and a copy of the variance must be carried in the ambulance at all times.
Trans 309.07 History
History: Cr.
Register, October, 1986, No. 370, eff. 11-1-86; am. (1) and (4),
Register, April, 1994, No. 460, eff. 5-1-94; r. (1) and (4), renum. (2) (a), (b) (intro.), 1. to 5., (5) and (6) to be (1) and (2) (intro.), (a) to (e), (4) and (5) and am. (2) (intro.) to (d)., (4) and (5),
Register, February, 1999, No. 518, eff. 4-1-99; correction in (3) made under s.
13.92 (4) (b) 6., Stats.,
Register December 2010 No. 660;
CR 19-074: am. (5)
Register October 2020 No. 778, eff. 11-1-20.
Trans 309.08(1)(1)
Registration and insurance. At the time of inspection, the service provider shall open to inspection the proof of current registration and insurance on each ambulance to be inspected. The proof of registration and insurance or copies of each shall be carried in each ambulance and be available upon request of the inspector.
Trans 309.08(2)
(2) Drug list. Upon inspection, the service provider shall provide a copy of the current list of approved drugs from the services medical director. The list shall state the minimum amount of each drug the provider will carry on each ambulance.
Trans 309.08(3)
(3)
Maintenance. An ambulance service provider shall maintain their ambulances as specified by the OEM. Vehicle service or maintenance records shall be maintained by the ambulance service provider for the life of the ambulance and shall be made available to the department upon inspection.
Trans 309.08(4)
(4)
Crash register. An ambulance service provider shall keep a written or electronic register of each crash their vehicles are involved in. The register shall include the crash number issued by the investigating agency, date, location, driver name, number of injuries, number of fatalities and vehicles towed.
Trans 309.08 History
History: Cr.
Register, February, 1999, No. 518, eff. 4-1-99;
CR 19-074: am. (1), r. and recr. (2), cr. (3), (4)
Register October 2020 No. 778, eff. 11-1-20; correction in (3), (4) made under s.
35.17, Stats.,
Register October 2020 No. 778.
Trans 309.09
Trans 309.09 Patient compartment interior dimensions. Trans 309.09(1)(1)
The patient compartment shall have not less than 300 cubic feet of space less 10% deviation for cabinets and shall meet the following specifications:
Trans 309.09(1)(a)
(a) Length. Measured from the partition to the inside edge of the rear loading doors, the patient compartment shall be not less than 116 inches in length. There shall be not less than 25 inches and not more than 30 inches of unobstructed space at the head of the primary patient, measured from the face of the backrest of the EMT's seat to the forward edge of the primary cot.
Trans 309.09(1)(b)
(b) Width. The compartment shall provide a minimum of 12" of clear aisle walkway between the edge of the primary patient cot and base of the nearest vertical feature measured along the floor.
Trans 309.09(1)(c)
(c) Height. The patient compartment shall be not less than 60 inches in height over the patient area measured from the floor to the ceiling, exclusive of cabinets or equipment and symmetrical corners and edges.
Trans 309.09(2)
(2) The interior of the body shall be free of all unnecessary projections. It shall be maintained in a sanitary condition. All hangers or supports for equipment and devices shall be mounted as flush as possible with the surrounding surface when not in use. Padding shall be placed at all head area obstructions which may prove dangerous to persons moving about in the patient compartment. Other exposed edges shall be beveled with not less than a 1/8 inch radius or chamfer, and a 1/2 to 1 inch radius on exposed corners. The finish of the entire patient compartment including interiors of storage cabinets shall be impervious to soap and water, disinfectants and mildew and shall be fire resistant. Any floor to wall surface joints shall be sealed with an impervious seal.
Trans 309.09 History
History: Cr.
Register, October, 1986, No. 370, eff. 11-1-86; am. (1) (a) and (2),
Register, April, 1994, No. 460, eff. 5-1-94; corrected to restore dropped copy,
Register, April, 1997, No. 496; am. (1) (c),
Register, February, 1999, No. 518, eff. 4-1-99;
CR 19-074: am. (1) (b)
Register October 2020 No. 778, eff. 11-1-20.
Trans 309.10
Trans 309.10 Doors. An ambulance shall have 2 unobstructed door openings in addition to the doors for the driver cab compartment. There shall be at least one door opening on the right forward side and a single door or double doors at the rear of the patient compartment. A forward hinged single door, double doors or a sliding type door shall have a minimum right side door opening of 30 inches in width, and 54 inches in height for Types I, I-AD, III and III-AD ambulances and 42 inches in height for Type II ambulances. The opening shall provide clearance to allow access and removal of a patient strapped to a long spine board. Single or double rear loading doors shall cover a clear opening of not less than 46 inches in height and 44 inches in width for Types I, I-AD, III and III-AD ambulances, and the manufacturer's standard for Type II ambulances. The ambulance body doors shall be equipped with not less than 250 square inches of safety glass area per door. Doors shall be designed for easy release from both the interior and exterior of the ambulance, but an accidental opening shall be prevented by an interlocking system that functions even when doors are not completely closed. Each door shall have effective compression or overlapping seals to prevent the entry of dust, water and air. Doors may contain recessed compartments to the interior for storage of supplies and devices.
Trans 309.10 History
History: Cr.
Register, October, 1986, No. 370, eff. 11-1-86;
CR 19-074: am.
Register October 2020 No. 778, eff. 11-1-20.
Trans 309.11
Trans 309.11 Bumpers, steps and stepwells. Chassis manufacturer's standard bumpers shall be furnished with the exception of the rear bumpers of Types I, I-AD, III and III-AD ambulances. Types I, I-AD, III and III-AD ambulances shall have a sturdy full width rear vehicular and body bumper with step, secured to the vehicle's chassis-frame. The rear bumper and step shall be adequate to support the test weight of 500 pounds without flexing or buckling. If the patient compartment floor is more than 18 inches above the ground on a Type II ambulance, a step shall be installed within 2 inches of an equal distance between the ground and the patient compartment floor. All bumper steps shall be designed to prevent the accumulation of mud, ice or snow and shall be made of antiskid, open grating metal. Steps may be of a folding style but may not be located within or exposed to the interior of the ambulance when the doors are closed. All steps shall extend the full width of the door opening for which they are provided and shall be not less than 5 inches nor more than 10 inches in depth.
Trans 309.11 History
History: Cr.
Register, October, 1986, No. 370, eff. 11-1-86;
CR 19-074: am.
Register October 2020 No. 778, eff. 11-1-20.
Trans 309.12(1)(1)
Each tire shall have not less than
1/
8 inch tread depth. The depth shall be measured at 2 points not less than 15 inches apart in any major tread groove at or near the center of the tire.
Trans 309.12(2)
(2) Wheels, tires and brake drum assemblies shall be in balance.
Trans 309.12(3)
(3) Snow tires with tungsten carbide studs, which shall not project more than one-eighth inch beyond the treads surface of the tire, may be installed on an ambulance from the 15th day of November each year through the 1st day of April of the following year.
Trans 309.12(5)
(5) Tires shall be maintained in good working condition. Tires shall not have serious cuts, bulges, sidewall defects or exposed fabric or cords.
Trans 309.12(6)
(6) Radial and bias tires shall not be mounted on the same axle.
Trans 309.12(7)
(7) Wheels shall not have any cracks, unseated lock rings, loose, broken or missing lugs, studs or clamps, bent or cracked rims or elongated stud holes.
Trans 309.12(8)
(8) Tires shall not be loaded above the manufacturer's weight limits.
Trans 309.12 History
History: Cr.
Register, October, 1986, No. 370, eff. 11-1-86; reprinted to restore dropped copy in (1),
Register, April, 1997, No. 496; am. (1) and (2), cr. (5),
Register, February, 1999, No. 518, eff. 4-1-99;
CR 19-074: am. (3), (5), cr. (6) to (8)
Register October 2020 No. 778, eff. 11-1-20; correction in (3) made under s.
35.17, Stats.
Register October 2020 No. 778.
Trans 309.13
Trans 309.13 Batteries. All ambulances shall be equipped with a 2 or more battery system. All batteries should be securely attached to prevent dislocation in the event of an accident. When mounted outside of the engine compartment the battery shall be contained in a closed, drained, weather-tight and vented compartment in the body skirt, which shall retain the battery in the event of an upset or rollover. The battery compartment door or cover shall be secured by a latch. The battery cables may not be spliced.
Trans 309.13 History
History: Cr.
Register, October, 1986, No. 370, eff. 11-1-86;
am.
Register, February, 1999, No. 518, eff. 4-1-99.
Trans 309.14(1)(1)
Required environmental climatic equipment. All ambulances shall be equipped with a complete climate environmental system to supply and maintain clean air conditions and an inside temperature at a comfortable level in both driver and patient compartments. The various systems for heating, ventilating and air conditioning may be separate or combination systems that permit independent control of environment within each compartment. The driver and patient compartment environments may not be dependent upon one another in any way.
Trans 309.14(2)
(2)
Interior environment climate. When an ambulance is prepared for immediate response with medications and solutions on the ambulance, the ambulance's interior climate shall be maintained so that the medications and solutions are kept within the temperature range required by the manufacturer.
Trans 309.14 History
History: Cr.
Register, October, 1986, No. 370, eff. 11-1-86;
CR 19-074: renum. Trans 309.14 to (1), cr. (1) (title), (2)
Register October 2020 No. 778, eff. 11-1-20; correction in (2) made under s.
35.17, Stats.,
Register October 2020 No. 778.
Trans 309.15(1)(1)
General lamps. Ambulances shall be equipped with headlamps, directional signal lamps, tail lamps, stop lamps, parking lamps, sidemarker lamps, license plate lamps, backup lamps, hazard warning lamps and clearance lamps meeting the requirements of ch.
347, Stats.
Trans 309.15(2)(a)1.
1. Except as provided in par.
(b), 2 top-corner mounted alternating flashing red lamps facing forward with a white flashing light mounted at an equal distance between them;
Trans 309.15(2)(a)2.
2. Except as provided in par.
(c), 2 top-corner mounted alternating flashing red lights facing to the rear;
Trans 309.15(2)(a)3.
3. Two top-corner mounted alternating flashing red lights facing to the right side;
Trans 309.15(2)(a)4.
4. Two top-corner mounted alternating flashing red lights facing to the left side; and
Trans 309.15(2)(a)5.
5. At least 2, red or red and white, flashing or rotating warning lamps located in, on, behind or in front of the vehicle's radiator grill. The lamps shall be designed and mounted so as to be plainly visible and understandable from a distance of 500 feet during both normal sunlight and hours of darkness.
Trans 309.15(2)(b)
(b) The lights required in par.
(a) 1. may be replaced with a light bar with 2 or more rotating or flashing red or red and white lights which covers the same area.
Trans 309.15(2)(c)
(c) The lights required in par.
(a) 2. may be replaced with rotating red or red and white lights revolving or flashing on a horizontal plane.
Trans 309.15(2)(e)
(e) Ambulance service providers may not be required to alter emergency warning lamps already installed on ambulances in service prior to November 1, 1986.
Trans 309.15(2)(f)
(f) The lamps shall be designed and mounted to be plainly visible and recognizable as emergency vehicle lights from a distance of 500 feet during both normal sunlight and hours of darkness.
Trans 309.15(2)(g)
(g) A flashing amber light may be installed to the rear top, positioned equally between the 2 top mounted corner flashing red lights, or 2 amber lights may be installed to the rear mounted to the insides of the 2 corner flashing red lights.
Trans 309.15(3)
(3) Floodlamps. Sealed flood lighting units shall be located at the rear and on the left and right sides of the ambulance. Floodlamps shall be integrally mounted below the roof line but not less than 75 inches above the ground and may not be obstructed by open doors. Each flood lamp shall have a minimum of 800 candlepower output. Flood lighting at the rear shall be arranged to illuminate the ground area immediately surrounding the loading doors. The switches shall be shielded and shall control each side separately.
Trans 309.15(4)
(4)
Figure. Lighting requirements described in this section are illustrated in figure 1.
Figure 1 – Emergency Lighting
Trans 309.15 History
History: Cr.
Register, October, 1986, No. 370, eff. 11-1-86; correction in (1) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register, April, 1987, No. 376; am. (1), (2) (a) 5., (b) and (e),
Register, April, 1994, No. 460, eff. 5-1-94; am. (2) (b), (c) and (e), cr. (f),
Register, February, 1999, No. 518, eff. 4-1-99;
CR 19-074: am. (1), (2) (c), cr. (2) (g), (4), (Figure 1)
Register October 2020 No. 778, eff. 11-1-20; correction in (2) (g) made under s. 35.17, Stats., and (4) (title) created under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 2., Stats.
Register October 2020 No. 778.
Trans 309.16(1)(1)
Driver compartment. The driver compartment shall be equipped with a dome lamp, instrument panel lamps and indicators, master switch panel or console lamps and door-open indicator. The lighting shall be designed and located so that no glare is reflected from surrounding areas to the driver's eyes or line of vision from instrument and switch control panels or other areas that are illuminated while the vehicle is in motion.
Trans 309.16(2)
(2) Patient compartment. The patient compartment shall be equipped with overhead or dome lighting and switch panel lighting. Only white or a combination of white and red colored lamps or lenses may be used in the patient compartment. Patient compartment lights shall be automatically activated when the entrance doors are opened or when otherwise controlled by the driver's master switch. Interior light fixtures may not protrude more than 1.5 inches. Fluorescent lights that operate on 12 volts may be used, but they may not extend more than 4 inches from the mounting surface. Fluorescent fixtures may be mounted at the intersection of the ceiling and walls, and shall be equipped with removable covers that positively lock in place.
Trans 309.16(3)
(3) Illumination levels. Normal illumination in all patient areas shall be not less than 15 foot candle intensity measured along the entire center line of the clear floor without any outside ambient light. The primary cot and squad bench shall be provided with 35 to 55 foot candles of illumination measured on at least 90% of their surface. Lighting levels shall be controlled by the EMT with switches or with a fireproofed underwriter's laboratory approved rheostat.
Trans 309.16 History
History: Cr.
Register, October, 1986, No. 370, eff. 11-1-86; am. (2) and (3),
Register, April, 1994, No. 460, eff. 5-1-94; am. (2),
Register, February, 1999, No. 518, eff. 4-1-99;
CR 19-074: am. (2)
Register October 2020 No. 778, eff. 11-1-20.
Trans 309.17(1)(1)
Each ambulance shall have an electric or electronic siren and amplified public address system. The siren or siren speakers shall be mounted below the windshield and forward of the front wheels. The siren shall produce wail and yelp sound patterns. The wail sound pattern shall have both automatic and manual controls.
Trans 309.17(1m)
(1m) The siren shall be activated by the steering wheel horn. The emergency light control panel shall have a switch marked “horn/siren" to activate either the vehicle's horn or siren. This subsection applies to all ambulances that are put in service July 1, 1999.
Trans 309.17(2)
(2) Ambulance service providers may not be required to alter siren mountings already installed on ambulances in service prior to May 1, 1994.
Trans 309.17 History
History: Cr.
Register, October, 1986, No. 370, eff. 11-1-86; r. and recr.
Register, April, 1994, No. 460, eff. 5-1-94; am. (1) and (2), cr. (1m),
Register, February, 1999, No. 518, eff. 4-1-99.
Trans 309.18(1)(1)
Each ambulance shall have a permanently mounted radio in the cab of the ambulance capable of contacting the hospital emergency department of the hospital it serves. In the rear compartment of the ambulance there shall be two way communications in the form of a radio capable of communication with the hospitals it serves. These radios shall comply with ch.
DHS 110.
Trans 309.18(2)
(2) Each ambulance service provider operating ambulances staffed either wholly or partially with EMTs practicing advance skills shall have remote 2-way communications for personnel when they are away from the ambulance.
Trans 309.18 History
History: Cr.
Register, October, 1986, No. 370, eff. 11-1-86; am.,
Register, April, 1994, No. 460, eff. 5-1-94; am. (2),
Register, February, 1999, No. 518, eff. 4-1-99; correction in (1) made under s.
13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register December 2010 No. 660;
CR 19-074: am. (1)
Register October 2020 No. 778, eff. 11-1-20.
Trans 309.19
Trans 309.19 Lettering and markings on ambulances. Trans 309.19(1)(1)
Ambulances may be painted any color or combination of colors and shall bear the lettering and markings prescribed in sub.
(2).
Trans 309.19(2)
(2) The material for lettering and marking shall be a color contrasting with the color of the ambulance. The use of reflectorized material for the lettering and markings is preferred, but is not mandatory. The lettering and markings shall be of the type, size and location as follows:
Trans 309.19(2)(a)
(a) The word “AMBULANCE" or “RESCUE SQUAD" in block letters not less than 6 inches high shall be placed on each side and on the rear of the vehicle body.
Trans 309.19(2)(b)
(b) Reflectorized striping totaling not less than 4 inches shall encircle the entire ambulance body excluding the front end. The top edge of this stripe shall be no higher than 48 inches above the ground. This stripe may be broken up by wheel wells, hinges, handles, windows or lights. Reflective designs or materials can replace the 4 inch stripe in this paragraph if it covers an area equal or greater than the area covered by the 4 inch stripe and is incorporated into both sides and rear and begins no higher than 48 inches above the ground. Reflectorized lettering may be included as part of this striping. Reflectorized chevrons may also cover the rear of the ambulance from top to bottom and may be included as part of the striping encircling the body. This striping requirement shall apply to all units placed in service after November 1, 2020.
Trans 309.19(2)(c)
(c) The name of the ambulance service provider shall be displayed on each side of the ambulance.
Trans 309.19 History
History: Cr.
Register, October, 1986, No. 370, eff. 11-1-86; renum. from Trans 309.20 and am.,
Register, April, 1994, No. 460, eff. 5-1-94; am. (1) and (2) (b),
Register, February, 1999, No. 518, eff. 4-1-99;
CR 19-074: am. (2) (b), cr. (2) (c)
Register October 2020 No. 788, eff. 11-1-20; corrections in (2) (b) made under s.
13.92 (4) (b) 14. and
35.17, Stats.,
Register October 2020 No. 778.
Trans 309.20
Trans 309.20 Smoking in ambulances. No smoking may be allowed in any area of the ambulance at any time.
Trans 309.20 History
History: Cr.
Register, February, 1999, No. 518, eff. 4-1-99.
Trans 309.205
Trans 309.205 Standard mandatory miscellaneous equipment. Trans 309.205(1)(a)
(a) Fire extinguishers, including 2 ABC-capable fire extinguishers able to control the following fires: A - capable of extinguishing fires involving paper, wood, textiles and plastics; B - capable of extinguishing fires involving flammable liquids; and C - capable of extinguishing fires involving live electrical equipment, dry chemical or carbon dioxide. These fire extinguishers shall each be a minimum 5-pound unit, in a quick-release bracket, one mounted in the driver-cab compartment or in the body reachable from outside the vehicle and one in the patient compartment. The mounting bracket shall be a stable design.
