Chapter 111C: Section 2. Powers and duties of department.
Section 2. For the administration and enforcement of this chapter, the department may:--
(1) establish and enforce rules and regulations for the establishment and maintenance of ambulance services and for the maintenance and operation of ambulances, including but not limited to rules and regulations governing emergency medical technicians, including ambulance operators and attendants, safety, sanitation, equipment, communications, medical supplies and records;
(2) establish fees for the issuance and renewal of licenses and certificates of inspection;
(3) make such reasonable classifications of ambulances, by type of vehicle and purpose, and ambulance services, by nature and scope of service, as it finds necessary or appropriate in the public interest;
(4) determine the need for and to plan for the distribution of ambulances and ambulance services in the commonwealth;
(5) inspect at any time any ambulance and any facilities and records maintained in connection with any ambulance service, provided that a license has been issued, or an application for a license has been filed, for such ambulance service;
(6) approve courses in emergency medical care for emergency medical technicians, including ambulance operators and attendants, under such conditions as it may establish with the advice of the board;
(7) develop a cost-sharing program between local, state and federal governments and voluntary private funding for training of ambulance operators and attendants and purchase of ambulances;
(8) coordinate on a regional basis communications centers, ambulance services, hospital emergency services, law enforcement and fire units and emergency operations centers and facilitate hospital transfers of patients;
(9) subject to the provisions of section three, make rules and regulations regarding adequate insurance coverage for licensed ambulance services and for operators and attendants of certified ambulances;
(10) make rules, regulations, and orders, and delegate authority to its divisions, employees and agents, as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the provisions of this chapter.
The department shall not establish the requirements as specified in clause (1) and shall not establish conditions for approval of courses as specified in clause (6) until the board has been provided a reasonable opportunity to review and make recommendations on such requirements and conditions.