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 only be licensed if it has been continuously authorized by the Texas Department of Health (department) under current ownership. A new vehicle which exceeds the size specifications 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. Advanced life support (ALS) required equipment shall include all Basic Life Support (BLS) equipment as provided in §157.12 of this title (relating to Basic Life Support Level Requirements) and the following which shall be in sufficient quantities, clean, in working order, and shall meet the size, and physical needs of the patient including:

   1. (1) intravenous fluids with administration sets for volume replacement or to keep vein open in quantities and types as in EMS provider's medical treatment protocols/standing orders;
   2. (2) 50% Dextrose;
   3. (3) advanced airway devices and/or endotracheal tubes in sizes specified by the medical director with laryngoscope and blades;
   4. (4) intravenous catheters and/or butterflies;
   5. (5) one copy of the Medical Treatment Protocols/Standing Orders that were provided in the provider licensing application packet; and

   6. (6) a list signed by the medical director which contains the following items as identified in the medical treatment protocols/standing orders:

      1. (A) types and quantities of intravenous solutions;
      2. (B) quantities and sizes of intravenous catheters and butterflies;
      3. (C) quantities and sizes of endotracheal tubes and/or advanced airway devices; and
      4. (D) any specialized equipment required in medical treatment protocols/standing orders.

Source Note:The provisions of this §157.13 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.