NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on March 06, 2009, the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has issued an order.
A petition was filed by Alachua County Department of Public Safety, Fire Rescue Section, with the Department of Health on January 9, 2009 and published January 23, 2009 in the Florida Administrative Weekly requesting a temporary variance from Rule 64J-1.003, Table II (v), Florida Administrative Code, which requires an electronic waveform capnography capable of real-time monitoring and printing record of the intubated patient for Advanced Life Support (ALS) ground vehicles.
The Department of Health, Bureau of EMS has granted the request for variance. The general basis for this decision was that Petitioner met the general requirements for variance:
(a) Principles of fairness would be violated should Petitioner be required to adhere to the current rule. Petitioner is currently evaluating defribrillators from multiple manufacturers with the intent to replace the current units, once they are obsolete in April 2010, with new units incorporating the required upgrade.
(b) A substantial hardship would be placed upon Petitioner as it would be without licensed ALS ground vehicles.
Wherefore, based on the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, the petition for temporary variance has been granted and allows Alachua County Department of Public Safety to operate its ALS ground vehicles without the required upgrade until April 1, 2010.
A copy of the Order may be obtained by contacting: Lisa M. Walker, Government Analyst II, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C18, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1738, Fax: (850)488-9408, email: lisa_walker2@doh.state.fl.us.