1. (a) Vehicle specifications. All vehicles shall meet the size and shape requirements of Type I, II, or III described in the document entitled "Federal Specification, Ambulance, Emergency Medical Care Vehicle" as published by the Federal General Services Administration 1990. A vehicle not meeting these specifications may be licensed only if it has been continuously authorized by the Texas Department of Health (department) under current ownership. A new vehicle which exceeds the size specification may be licensed if the department reviews the manufacturer's specifications and approves the vehicle.
2. (b) Special waste. The EMS provider shall have puncture resistant containers on all vehicles for the disposal of sharps and shall have an arrangement with a hospital or licensed private entity for the exchange of full for empty containers or shall comply with the department rules regarding special waste in §§1.131-1.137 of this title (relating to Definition, Treatment, and Disposition of Special Waste from Health Care-Related Facilities).

3. (c) Required equipment. The following Basic Life Support (BLS) required equipment must be clean, in working order and shall meet the size, and physical needs of the patient:

   1. (1) rigid cervical immobilization devices of types that limit forward, backward, lateral movement or rotation of the head and cervical spine during movement of a patient;
   2. (2) one portable suction unit with connecting tubing and suction tips (bulb syringes, syringes, or foot pump not acceptable);
   3. (3) bag valve mask units which can be used with an external oxygen supply;
   4. (4) nonmetallic oropharyngeal airways;
   5. (5) oxygen tubing and semi-open valveless, low, moderate, and high concentration, transparent oxygen delivery devices such as masks and cannulas;
   6. (6) two multi-trauma dressings approximately 10-inch by 30-inch in size;
   7. (7) a minimum of five dozen sterile gauze pads;
   8. (8) 12 soft roller adhering bandages;
   9. (9) six sterile petroleum jelly impregnated gauze or suitable occlusive dressing;
   10. (10) four rolls of adhesive tape;
   11. (11) four sterile burn sheets;
   12. (12) traction splints;

   13. (13) rigid, flexible, air, or vacuum extremity splints, in sufficient sizes for all extremities, of the type that limit movement of extremities during patient movement, and which may be, but are not limited to, any of the following types of splints:

       1. (A) padded aluminum, board, or cardboard splints;
       2. (B) inflatable or vacuum splints;
       3. (C) foam-type rapid splints;
       4. (D) wire ladder splints or flexible metal splints; or
       5. (E) commercial splints;

   14. (14) long and short spine boards with straps to include:

       1. (A) one long six-foot board or commercial device; and
       2. (B) one short spine board or commercial device; or
       3. (C) commercial device which serves the purpose of both spine boards described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this paragraph;
   15. (15) 12 triangular bandages;
   16. (16) two bandage scissors (table shears are not acceptable);

   17. (17) sealed obstetrics kit. A sterile commercial kit is acceptable. A non-commercial kit shall be autoclaved or otherwise suitably sterile with the expiration date attached and shall be labeled and include the following:

       1. (A) sterile gloves;
       2. (B) one disposable sheet;
       3. (C) cleansing cloths;
       4. (D) umbilical clamps;
       5. (E) nylon cord tie-offs;
       6. (F) disposable scalpel;
       7. (G) bulb aspirator;
       8. (H) four inch by four inch sterile gauze pads;
       9. (I) obstetrical pad;
       10. (J) receiving blanket;
       11. (K) disposable towels; and
       12. (L) plastic bag;
   18. (18) nonporous infant insulating device;
   19. (19) sphygmomanometers;
   20. (20) stethoscope;
   21. (21) penlight;
   22. (22) one multilevel stretcher capable of being secured to the vehicle and with two clean sheets and two clean blankets;
   23. (23) two-way radio or cellular phone communication capability between vehicle and dispatch, hospital, or law enforcement. (Citizen's band radio is not acceptable);
   24. (24) two pair protective goggles that offer protection from forward or lateral splashes and sprays;
   25. (25) one box latex or rubber gloves, or equivalent;
   26. (26) one current copy of the DOT document titled "Emergency Response Guide Book";
   27. (27) a copy of the treatment and transport protocols that were provided in the provider licensing application packet;
   28. (28) two portable cylinders with a minimum capacity of 12 cubic feet in each cylinder with one regulator and piped-in medical grade oxygen in a cylinder with at least 107 cubic foot capacity in working order with current inspection stamps or equivalent; and
   29. (29) a red biohazardous waste bag or equivalent which is clearly labeled.

Source Note:The provisions of this §157.12 adopted to be effective August 1, 1990, 15 TexReg 4003; amended to be effective October 21, 1992, 17 TexReg 7076; amended to be effective June 22, 1995, 20 TexReg 4238.