MN HF4849

Allows ambulance services in rural areas and small communities (population under 2,500) to staff basic life-support ambulances with one EMT and one registered emergency medical responder driver during emergency calls and interfacility transfers.

Permits the state board to grant temporary variances to ambulance services demonstrating hardship, authorizing staffing with one EMT and one fire department employee with formal emergency vehicle operations training.

Temporary staffing variances apply to each subsequent emergency ambulance response after the initial call until regular or alternative staffing becomes available again.

Variances remain in effect until the ambulance service renews its license, after which services may apply for new variances.

Maintains existing requirements for basic life-support services to provide airway management, automatic defibrillation, and opiate antagonists, and allows medical directors to authorize intravenous infusion and additional equipment use.