This section indicates that, unless there's a reason to interpret differently, the definitions provided in this chapter should be used throughout this division.

This law defines 'advanced life support' as a set of special services that provide prehospital emergency medical care. It includes actions like performing CPR, monitoring the heart, using a defibrillator, managing airways, administering IV therapy, and giving specific drugs. These tasks are done by authorized personnel under the supervision of a base hospital as part of a local EMS system. This care can happen at the emergency scene, during transport to the hospital, during transfer between facilities, and in the emergency department until the hospital staff takes over.

An "alternative base station" is a medical facility or service that offers guidance to emergency medical personnel. It's supervised by a trained and qualified doctor who can provide instructions during emergencies. This facility steps in when no hospital is available to help guide emergency responders and must be approved by the local EMS agency's medical director to provide such support.

In this section, "Authority" refers to the Emergency Medical Services Authority that is created under this division of the law.

This section defines an "authorized registered nurse" or "mobile intensive care nurse" (MICN) as a registered nurse who is allowed to offer advanced medical support before a patient reaches the hospital. They can also instruct emergency medical teams based on procedures developed by local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agencies in line with statewide guidelines. This authorization does not limit their other legal duties and responsibilities as nurses.

A 'base hospital' is a hospital chosen by the local EMS agency that signs a contract with them. It's responsible for managing advanced life support and prehospital care systems assigned by the local EMS agency.

This law defines a 'Base Hospital Physician' (BHP) as a licensed doctor in California who works in the emergency department of a base hospital. These physicians are specifically trained to give guidance and instructions to emergency medical personnel in the field, following state guidelines. The law also clarifies that this role does not limit any other legal responsibilities or duties that a physician might have.

This law defines 'basic life support' as emergency actions like first aid and CPR. It includes knowing how to spot when someone's heart or breathing has stopped and starting CPR to keep them alive. You do this without surgery or advanced equipment until help arrives or the person can be moved to get advanced care.

This law explains the terms 'certificate' or 'license' as documents that certify a person's skills in prehospital services, like emergency medical care.

It also defines 'certificate status' or 'license status,' which can show whether these documents are active, have expired, been denied, suspended, revoked, or are on probation.

This section defines a "certifying entity" as either a public safety agency or the State Fire Marshal's office if they have an approved training program for EMT-I personnel. Alternatively, it can be the medical director of a local EMS agency. The training program must meet specific standards outlined in another section of the law.

This law section explains what a 'certifying examination' is for emergency medical personnel. Before someone can be certified or recertified at a specific level of prehospital emergency care, they must pass an exam approved by the authority. The type of exam can vary. It might be an exam created by the authority, the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, or another agency with exams that meet the authority's standards.

This section defines the term "Commission" as referring to the Commission on Emergency Medical Services, which is established according to another section, 1799.

A 'competency based curriculum' is an educational program where each skill you learn has specific goals. The program combines classroom learning with hands-on practice. To finish, you must pass a test proving you've mastered all the skills taught.

A 'designated facility' is a hospital chosen by a local emergency medical services (EMS) agency to carry out certain emergency services according to guidelines set by a central authority.

This law section defines the term 'Director' as referring to the person in charge of the Emergency Medical Services Authority.

This section defines an 'emergency' as a situation where someone needs urgent medical care or where emergency personnel or a public safety agency thinks there might be such a need.

This law defines 'emergency medical services' as the help provided during a medical emergency.

An "emergency medical services area" refers to the specific geographic region that a local emergency medical services agency oversees.

This section defines what an 'emergency medical services plan' is. It's a plan designed to deliver emergency medical services, and it must follow state guidelines. These guidelines cover specific aspects listed in another section, Section 1797.103.

This section defines an 'emergency medical services system' as a structured setup that ensures medical care is efficiently and smoothly provided during emergencies. It involves organizing people, places, and tools to deliver medical services effectively in emergency situations within a specific area.

An Emergency Medical Technician-I (EMT-I) is someone who is trained in providing basic life support according to set standards and holds a valid certificate confirming this training. This category includes specific types of EMTs such as EMT-I (FS) and EMT-I-A.

This section defines an 'Emergency Medical Technician-II' or 'Advanced EMT' as someone who is an EMT-I but has received extra training in advanced life support. They must have a valid certificate that proves they meet these special training standards.

This section defines what an Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (EMT-P), often simply called a paramedic, is. It means a person authorized to provide advanced life support following specific standards. They must also hold a valid certificate issued under this set of rules.

This section defines an 'exclusive operating area' as a specific geographic region where a local EMS agency, with county input, decides to limit emergency ambulance and advanced life support operations to certain approved services or providers.

This section defines the term "health systems agency" as it is described in a specific part of U.S. federal law, particularly within Title 42 of the U.S. Code.

This law defines what qualifies as a 'hospital' for emergency medical services. It must be an acute care hospital with a license for basic emergency services, either located within California or out-of-state but meeting similar requirements. Additionally, an out-of-state hospital must be approved by the local EMS agency and be licensed in its own state to be included in the emergency medical system.

This section defines "medical control" as the management of emergency medical services by medical personnel according to specific guidelines starting in Chapter 5.

Limited advanced life support refers to emergency medical services that offer more than just basic care but are not as comprehensive as advanced life support. These services include specific techniques and procedures outlined in another section.

This law section defines a "Local EMS agency" as the specific group or office responsible for handling emergency medical services within a county. This group is officially designated according to the rules starting from Section 1797.200.

A "mobile stroke unit" is a special ambulance that travels across different areas and is equipped to handle emergency stroke cases. It operates with the approval of local emergency medical services (EMS) agencies and functions as a critical care ambulance. This unit can perform diagnostic tests like scans and lab tests and provide medical treatment to stroke patients under the guidance of a doctor, whether they're present in person or connected via telehealth. The definition is consistent with federal guidelines that cover mobile stroke units.

This section defines a 'Poison control center' (PCC) as a facility, usually hospital-based, that gives information and advice about handling cases where people have been exposed to poison or toxic substances. Such centers must meet certain standards and be designated by the Emergency Medical Services Authority.