{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/32.1-111.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/32.1-111.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/32.1-111.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/32.1-111.1.html"}],"law_id":74269,"edition_id":1,"section_id":74269,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.1","catch_line":"Definitions","history":"1996, c. 899; 1999, c. 1000; 2000, c. 939; 2008, c. 118; 2015, cc. 502, 503.","full_text":"As used in this article:\n\t\t“Advisory Board” means the State Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board.\n\t\t“Automated external defibrillator” means a medical device which combines a heart monitor and defibrillator and (i) has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, (ii) is capable of recognizing the presence or absence of ventricular fibrillation or rapid ventricular tachycardia, (iii) is capable of determining, without intervention by an operator, whether defibrillation should be performed, and (iv) automatically charges and requests delivery of an electrical impulse to an individual’s heart, upon determining that defibrillation should be performed.\n\t\t“Emergency medical services” or “EMS” means health care, public health, and public safety services used in the medical response to the real or perceived need for immediate medical assessment, care, or transportation and preventive care or transportation in order to prevent loss of life or aggravation of physiological or psychological illness or injury.\n\t\t“Emergency medical services agency” or “EMS agency” means any person engaged in the business, service, or regular activity, whether for profit or not, of rendering immediate medical care and providing transportation to persons who are sick, injured, wounded, or otherwise incapacitated or helpless and that holds a valid license as an emergency medical services agency issued by the Commissioner in accordance with \u00a7 32.1-111.6.\n\t\t“Emergency medical services personnel” or “EMS personnel” means individuals who are employed by or members of an emergency medical services agency and who provide emergency medical services pursuant to an emergency medical services agency license issued to that agency by the Commissioner and in accordance with the authorization of that agency’s operational medical director.\n\t\t“Emergency medical services physician” or “EMS physician” means a physician who holds a current endorsement from the Office of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and may serve as an EMS agency operational medical director or training program physician course director.\n\t\t“Emergency medical services provider” or “EMS provider” means any person who holds a valid certificate as an emergency medical services provider issued by the Commissioner.\n\t\t“Emergency medical services system” or “EMS system” means the system of emergency medical services agencies, vehicles, equipment, and personnel; health care facilities; other health care and emergency services providers; and other components engaged in the planning, coordination, and delivery of emergency medical services in the Commonwealth, including individuals and facilities providing communication and other services necessary to facilitate the delivery of emergency medical services in the Commonwealth.\n\t\t“Emergency medical services vehicle” means any vehicle, vessel, or aircraft that holds a valid emergency medical services vehicle permit issued by the Office of Emergency Medical Services that is equipped, maintained, or operated to provide emergency medical care or transportation of patients who are sick, injured, wounded, or otherwise incapacitated or helpless.\n\t\t“Office of Emergency Medical Services” means the Office of Emergency Medical Services of the Department.\n\t\t“Operational medical director” or “OMD” means an EMS physician, currently licensed to practice medicine or osteopathic medicine in the Commonwealth, who is formally recognized and responsible for providing medical direction, oversight, and quality improvement to an EMS agency.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":267008,"text":"As used in this article:\n\t\t“Advisory Board” means the State Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board.\n\t\t“Automated external defibrillator” means a medical device which combines a heart monitor and defibrillator and (i) has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, (ii) is capable of recognizing the presence or absence of ventricular fibrillation or rapid ventricular tachycardia, (iii) is capable of determining, without intervention by an operator, whether defibrillation should be performed, and (iv) automatically charges and requests delivery of an electrical impulse to an individual’s heart, upon determining that defibrillation should be performed.\n\t\t“Emergency medical services” or “EMS” means health care, public health, and public safety services used in the medical response to the real or perceived need for immediate medical assessment, care, or transportation and preventive care or transportation in order to prevent loss of life or aggravation of physiological or psychological illness or injury.\n\t\t“Emergency medical services agency” or “EMS agency” means any person engaged in the business, service, or regular activity, whether for profit or not, of rendering immediate medical care and providing transportation to persons who are sick, injured, wounded, or otherwise incapacitated or helpless and that holds a valid license as an emergency medical services agency issued by the Commissioner in accordance with \u00a7 32.1-111.6.\n\t\t“Emergency medical services personnel” or “EMS personnel” means individuals who are employed by or members of an emergency medical services agency and who provide emergency medical services pursuant to an emergency medical services agency license issued to that agency by the Commissioner and in accordance with the authorization of that agency’s operational medical director.\n\t\t“Emergency medical services physician” or “EMS physician” means a physician who holds a current endorsement from the Office of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and may serve as an EMS agency operational medical director or training program physician course director.\n\t\t“Emergency medical services provider” or “EMS provider” means any person who holds a valid certificate as an emergency medical services provider issued by the Commissioner.\n\t\t“Emergency medical services system” or “EMS system” means the system of emergency medical services agencies, vehicles, equipment, and personnel; health care facilities; other health care and emergency services providers; and other components engaged in the planning, coordination, and delivery of emergency medical services in the Commonwealth, including individuals and facilities providing communication and other services necessary to facilitate the delivery of emergency medical services in the Commonwealth.\n\t\t“Emergency medical services vehicle” means any vehicle, vessel, or aircraft that holds a valid emergency medical services vehicle permit issued by the Office of Emergency Medical Services that is equipped, maintained, or operated to provide emergency medical care or transportation of patients who are sick, injured, wounded, or otherwise incapacitated or helpless.\n\t\t“Office of Emergency Medical Services” means the Office of Emergency Medical Services of the Department.\n\t\t“Operational medical director” or “OMD” means an EMS physician, currently licensed to practice medicine or osteopathic medicine in the Commonwealth, who is formally recognized and responsible for providing medical direction, oversight, and quality improvement to an EMS agency.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":13671,"edition_id":1,"name":"Statewide Emergency Medical Services System and Services","identifier":"2.1","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13670,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:31","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:31","permalink":{"id":202513,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13671,"identifier":"2.1","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1","url":"\/32.1\/4\/2.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13670,"edition_id":1,"name":"Health Care Planning","identifier":"4","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12727,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:31","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:31","permalink":{"id":202389,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13670,"identifier":"4","token":"32.1\/4","url":"\/32.1\/4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12727,"edition_id":1,"name":"Health","identifier":"32.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","permalink":{"id":201099,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12727,"identifier":"32.1","token":"32.1","url":"\/32.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":74269,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.1","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/32.1-111.1\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.1","metadata":false},{"id":85093,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.10","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/32.1-111.10\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.10","metadata":false},{"id":59561,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.12","catch_line":"Virginia Rescue Squads Assistance Fund; disbursements","url":"\/32.1-111.12\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.12","metadata":false},{"id":69432,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.12:01","catch_line":"Financial Assistance and Review Committee; appointment; terms; duties","url":"\/32.1-111.12_01\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.12_01","metadata":false},{"id":54647,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.13","catch_line":"Annual financial reports","url":"\/32.1-111.13\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.13","metadata":false},{"id":76464,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.14","catch_line":"Powers of governing bodies of counties, cities, and towns","url":"\/32.1-111.14\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.14","metadata":false},{"id":61007,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.14:1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/32.1-111.14_1\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.14_1","metadata":false},{"id":80023,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.14:2","catch_line":"Establishment of emergency medical services zones or districts; tax levies","url":"\/32.1-111.14_2\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.14_2","metadata":false},{"id":82044,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.14:3","catch_line":"Exclusion of certain areas from emergency medical services zones or districts and exemption of such areas from certain levies","url":"\/32.1-111.14_3\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.14_3","metadata":false},{"id":80060,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.14:4","catch_line":"Advances by county or city to emergency medical services zone or district; reimbursement; validation of prior advances","url":"\/32.1-111.14_4\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.14_4","metadata":false},{"id":58628,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.14:5","catch_line":"Authority of emergency medical services agency incident commander when operating at an emergency incident; penalty for refusal to obey orders","url":"\/32.1-111.14_5\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.14_5","metadata":false},{"id":65685,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.14:6","catch_line":"Supervision and control of joint services of emergency medical services agencies","url":"\/32.1-111.14_6\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.14_6","metadata":false},{"id":80052,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.14:7","catch_line":"Penalty for disobeying emergency medical services agency chief or other officer in command","url":"\/32.1-111.14_7\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.14_7","metadata":false},{"id":65852,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.14:8","catch_line":"Purchase, maintenance, etc., of equipment; donated equipment","url":"\/32.1-111.14_8\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.14_8","metadata":false},{"id":74869,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.14:9","catch_line":"Entry of buildings and premises adjoining during a medical emergency","url":"\/32.1-111.14_9\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.14_9","metadata":false},{"id":84101,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.15","catch_line":"Statewide poison control system established","url":"\/32.1-111.15\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.15","metadata":false},{"id":84930,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.15:1","catch_line":"Department responsible for stroke care quality improvement; sharing of data and information","url":"\/32.1-111.15_1\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.15_1","metadata":false},{"id":65753,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.2","catch_line":"Exemptions from provisions of this article","url":"\/32.1-111.2\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.2","metadata":false},{"id":73301,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.3","catch_line":"Statewide Emergency Medical Services Plan; Trauma Triage Plan; Stroke Triage Plan","url":"\/32.1-111.3\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.3","metadata":false},{"id":69056,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.4","catch_line":"Regulations; emergency medical services personnel and vehicles; response times; enforcement provisions; civil penalties","url":"\/32.1-111.4\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.4","metadata":false},{"id":54989,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.4:1","catch_line":"State Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board; purpose; membership; duties; reimbursement of expenses; staff support","url":"\/32.1-111.4_1\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.4_1","metadata":false},{"id":64281,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.4:2","catch_line":"Regional emergency medical services councils","url":"\/32.1-111.4_2\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.4_2","metadata":false},{"id":86752,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.4:3","catch_line":"Provision of emergency medical services","url":"\/32.1-111.4_3\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.4_3","metadata":false},{"id":65841,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.4:4","catch_line":"Emergency medical services personnel and equipment may in emergencies go or be sent beyond territorial limits","url":"\/32.1-111.4_4\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.4_4","metadata":false},{"id":85795,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.4:5","catch_line":"Contracts of counties, cities, and towns to furnish emergency medical services; public liability insurance to cover claims arising out of mutual aid agreements","url":"\/32.1-111.4_5\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.4_5","metadata":false},{"id":87284,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.4:6","catch_line":"Establishment of an emergency medical services agency as a department of local government","url":"\/32.1-111.4_6\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.4_6","metadata":false},{"id":61096,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.4:7","catch_line":"Establishment of an emergency medical services agency as a nongovernmental entity; dissolution","url":"\/32.1-111.4_7\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.4_7","metadata":false},{"id":65073,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.4:8","catch_line":"Ordinances as to emergency medical services agencies","url":"\/32.1-111.4_8\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.4_8","metadata":false},{"id":56481,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.4:9","catch_line":"Emergency treatment of fire, police, and search and rescue dogs","url":"\/32.1-111.4_9\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.4_9","metadata":false},{"id":74243,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.5","catch_line":"Certification and recertification of emergency medical services providers; appeals process","url":"\/32.1-111.5\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.5","metadata":false},{"id":65013,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.5:1","catch_line":"Emergency medical services personnel mental health awareness training","url":"\/32.1-111.5_1\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.5_1","metadata":false},{"id":66746,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.5:2","catch_line":"Emergency medical services personnel Alzheimer's disease and dementia training","url":"\/32.1-111.5_2\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.5_2","metadata":false},{"id":72624,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.6","catch_line":"Emergency medical services agency license; emergency medical services vehicle permits","url":"\/32.1-111.6\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.6","metadata":false},{"id":65031,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.6:1","catch_line":"Commissioner to issue certain emergency medical services licenses or permits","url":"\/32.1-111.6_1\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.6_1","metadata":false},{"id":81101,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.7","catch_line":"Inspections","url":"\/32.1-111.7\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.7","metadata":false},{"id":72840,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.8","catch_line":"Revocation and suspension of licenses and permits","url":"\/32.1-111.8\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.8","metadata":false},{"id":74756,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.9","catch_line":"Applications for variances or exemptions","url":"\/32.1-111.9\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.9","metadata":false},{"id":81022,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.9:1","catch_line":"Out-of-state emergency medical services providers","url":"\/32.1-111.9_1\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.9_1","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":85093,"structure_id":13671,"section_number":"32.1-111.10","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/32.1-111.10\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.10","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/32.1-111.1\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1996. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 899<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 4 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1999, chapter 1000<\/a>; in 2000, chapter 939<\/a>; in 2008, chapter 118<\/a>; in 2015, chapters 502<\/a> and 503<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":63718,"section_number":"18.2-151.1","catch_line":"Injuring, destroying, removing, or tampering with firefighting equipment; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-151.1\/"},{"id":71520,"section_number":"18.2-251.03","catch_line":"Arrest and prosecution when experiencing or reporting an overdose or act of sexual violence","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-251.03\/"},{"id":58515,"section_number":"18.2-461.1","catch_line":"False emergency communication to emergency personnel; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-461.1\/"},{"id":73944,"section_number":"18.2-488.1","catch_line":"Flag at half staff or mast for certain public safety personnel killed in the line of duty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-488.1\/"},{"id":72165,"section_number":"18.2-51.1","catch_line":"Malicious bodily injury to law-enforcement officers, firefighters, search and rescue personnel, or emergency medical services personnel; penalty; lesser-included offense","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-51.1\/"},{"id":71020,"section_number":"2.2-1122","catch_line":"Aid and cooperation of Division may be sought by any public body or public broadcasting station in making purchases; use of facilities of Virginia Distribution Center; services to certain volunteer organizations","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-1122\/"},{"id":60253,"section_number":"2.2-3705.5","catch_line":"Exclusions to application of chapter; health and social services records","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-3705.5\/"},{"id":64111,"section_number":"3.2-6504.1","catch_line":"Civil immunity; forcible entry of motor vehicle to remove unattended companion animal","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6504.1\/"},{"id":67932,"section_number":"32.1-111.16","catch_line":"Director of Office of Emergency Medical Services annual performance evaluation","order_by":null,"url":"\/32.1-111.16\/"},{"id":74756,"section_number":"32.1-111.9","catch_line":"Applications for variances or exemptions","order_by":null,"url":"\/32.1-111.9\/"},{"id":75794,"section_number":"33.2-613","catch_line":"Free use of toll facilities by certain state officers and employees; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/33.2-613\/"},{"id":82480,"section_number":"38.2-2201","catch_line":"Provisions for payment of medical expense and loss of income benefits; assignment of certain benefits","order_by":null,"url":"\/38.2-2201\/"},{"id":75263,"section_number":"38.2-2202","catch_line":"Required notice of optional coverage available","order_by":null,"url":"\/38.2-2202\/"},{"id":61587,"section_number":"46.2-2000.1","catch_line":"Vehicles excluded from operation of chapter","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-2000.1\/"},{"id":75213,"section_number":"46.2-649.1:1","catch_line":"Registration of vehicles owned and used by volunteer fire departments or volunteer, commercial, or private emergency medical services agencies","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-649.1_1\/"},{"id":81638,"section_number":"51.1-1206","catch_line":"Other distributions","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-1206\/"},{"id":70193,"section_number":"51.1-1208","catch_line":"Length of service not affected by serving in more than one department or agency; transfer from one department or agency to another","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-1208\/"},{"id":85181,"section_number":"51.1-153","catch_line":"Service retirement","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-153\/"},{"id":72358,"section_number":"51.1-155","catch_line":"Service retirement allowance","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-155\/"},{"id":83100,"section_number":"51.1-169","catch_line":"Hybrid retirement program","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-169\/"},{"id":54830,"section_number":"54.1-2969","catch_line":"Authority to consent to surgical and medical treatment of certain minors","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-2969\/"},{"id":61456,"section_number":"54.1-2987.1","catch_line":"Durable Do Not Resuscitate Orders","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-2987.1\/"},{"id":77665,"section_number":"54.1-3408","catch_line":"Professional use by practitioners","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-3408\/"},{"id":84228,"section_number":"58.1-3506","catch_line":"Other classifications of tangible personal property for taxation","order_by":null,"url":"\/58.1-3506\/"},{"id":76508,"section_number":"59.1-444.4","catch_line":"Reporting of medical debt prohibited; civil penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/59.1-444.4\/"},{"id":59551,"section_number":"65.2-101","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/65.2-101\/"},{"id":59437,"section_number":"65.2-402","catch_line":"Presumption as to death or disability from respiratory disease, hypertension or heart disease, cancer","order_by":null,"url":"\/65.2-402\/"},{"id":72312,"section_number":"8.01-225","catch_line":"Persons rendering emergency care, obstetrical services exempt from liability","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-225\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":72624,"section_number":"32.1-111.6","catch_line":"Emergency medical services agency license; emergency medical services vehicle permits","order_by":null,"url":"\/32.1-111.6\/"}],"permalink":{"id":202515,"object_type":"law","relational_id":74269,"identifier":"32.1-111.1","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.1","url":"\/32.1-111.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/32.1-111.1\/","token":"32.1\/4\/2.1\/32.1-111.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Definitions","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 32.1-111.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

As used in this article:\n\t\t“Advisory Board<\/span>” means the State Emergency Medical Services<\/span> Advisory Board<\/span>.\n\t\t“Automated external defibrillator<\/span>” means a medical device which combines a heart monitor and defibrillator and (i) has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, (ii) is capable of recognizing the presence or absence of ventricular fibrillation or rapid ventricular tachycardia, (iii) is capable of determining, without intervention by an operator, whether defibrillation should be performed, and (iv) automatically charges and requests delivery of an electrical impulse to an individual’s heart, upon determining that defibrillation should be performed.\n\t\t“Emergency medical services<\/span>” or “EMS” means health care, public health, and public safety services used in the medical response to the real or perceived need for immediate medical assessment, care, or transportation and preventive care or transportation in order<\/span> to prevent loss of life or aggravation of physiological or psychological illness or injury.\n\t\t“Emergency medical services<\/span> agency<\/span>” or “EMS agency<\/span>” means any person<\/span> engaged in the business, service, or regular activity, whether for profit or not, of rendering immediate medical care and providing transportation to persons<\/span> who are sick, injured, wounded, or otherwise incapacitated or helpless and that holds a valid license as an emergency medical services<\/span> agency<\/span> issued by the Commissioner<\/span> in accordance with \u00a7 32.1-111.6<\/a>.\n\t\t“Emergency medical services<\/span> personnel<\/span>” or “EMS personnel<\/span>” means individuals who are employed by or members of an emergency medical services<\/span> agency<\/span> and who provide emergency medical services<\/span> pursuant to an emergency medical services<\/span> agency<\/span> license issued to that agency by the Commissioner<\/span> and in accordance with the authorization of that agency’s operational medical director<\/span>.\n\t\t“Emergency medical services<\/span> physician<\/span>” or “EMS physician<\/span>” means a physician who holds a current endorsement from the Office of Emergency Medical Services<\/span><\/span> (EMS) and may serve as an EMS agency<\/span> operational medical director<\/span> or training program physician course director.\n\t\t“Emergency medical services<\/span> provider<\/span>” or “EMS provider<\/span>” means any person<\/span> who holds a valid certificate as an emergency medical services<\/span> provider<\/span> issued by the Commissioner<\/span>.\n\t\t“Emergency medical services<\/span> system<\/span>” or “EMS system<\/span>” means the system of emergency medical services<\/span> agencies, vehicles, equipment, and personnel; health care facilities; other health care and emergency services providers; and other components engaged in the planning, coordination, and delivery of emergency medical services<\/span> in the Commonwealth, including individuals and facilities providing communication and other services necessary to facilitate the delivery of emergency medical services<\/span> in the Commonwealth.\n\t\t“Emergency medical services<\/span> vehicle<\/span>” means any vehicle, vessel, or aircraft that holds a valid emergency medical services<\/span> vehicle<\/span> permit issued by the Office of Emergency Medical Services<\/span><\/span> that is equipped, maintained, or operated to provide emergency medical care or transportation of patients who are sick, injured, wounded, or otherwise incapacitated or helpless.\n\t\t“Office of Emergency Medical Services<\/span><\/span>” means the Office of Emergency Medical Services<\/span><\/span> of the Department<\/span>.\n\t\t“Operational medical director<\/span>” or “OMD<\/span>” means an EMS physician<\/span>, currently licensed to practice medicine or osteopathic medicine in the Commonwealth, who is formally recognized and responsible for providing medical direction, oversight, and quality improvement to an EMS agency<\/span>.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDEFINITIONS (\u00a7 32.1-111.1)\n\nAs used in this article:\n\t\t“Advisory Board” means the State Emergency Medical Services\nAdvisory Board.\n\t\t“Automated external defibrillator” means a medical device which\ncombines a heart monitor and defibrillator and (i) has been approved by the\nUnited States Food and Drug Administration, (ii) is capable of recognizing the\npresence or absence of ventricular fibrillation or rapid ventricular\ntachycardia, (iii) is capable of determining, without intervention by an\noperator, whether defibrillation should be performed, and (iv) automatically\ncharges and requests delivery of an electrical impulse to an individual’s\nheart, upon determining that defibrillation should be performed.\n\t\t“Emergency medical services” or “EMS” means health\ncare, public health, and public safety services used in the medical response to\nthe real or perceived need for immediate medical assessment, care, or\ntransportation and preventive care or transportation in order to prevent loss of\nlife or aggravation of physiological or psychological illness or injury.\n\t\t“Emergency medical services agency” or “EMS agency”\nmeans any person engaged in the business, service, or regular activity, whether\nfor profit or not, of rendering immediate medical care and providing\ntransportation to persons who are sick, injured, wounded, or otherwise\nincapacitated or helpless and that holds a valid license as an emergency medical\nservices agency issued by the Commissioner in accordance with \u00a7 32.1-111.6.\n\t\t“Emergency medical services personnel” or “EMS\npersonnel” means individuals who are employed by or members of an\nemergency medical services agency and who provide emergency medical services\npursuant to an emergency medical services agency license issued to that agency\nby the Commissioner and in accordance with the authorization of that\nagency’s operational medical director.\n\t\t“Emergency medical services physician” or “EMS\nphysician” means a physician who holds a current endorsement from the\nOffice of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and may serve as an EMS agency\noperational medical director or training program physician course director.\n\t\t“Emergency medical services provider” or “EMS\nprovider” means any person who holds a valid certificate as an emergency\nmedical services provider issued by the Commissioner.\n\t\t“Emergency medical services system” or “EMS system”\nmeans the system of emergency medical services agencies, vehicles, equipment,\nand personnel; health care facilities; other health care and emergency services\nproviders; and other components engaged in the planning, coordination, and\ndelivery of emergency medical services in the Commonwealth, including\nindividuals and facilities providing communication and other services necessary\nto facilitate the delivery of emergency medical services in the Commonwealth.\n\t\t“Emergency medical services vehicle” means any vehicle, vessel, or\naircraft that holds a valid emergency medical services vehicle permit issued by\nthe Office of Emergency Medical Services that is equipped, maintained, or\noperated to provide emergency medical care or transportation of patients who are\nsick, injured, wounded, or otherwise incapacitated or helpless.\n\t\t“Office of Emergency Medical Services” means the Office of\nEmergency Medical Services of the Department.\n\t\t“Operational medical director” or “OMD” means an EMS\nphysician, currently licensed to practice medicine or osteopathic medicine in\nthe Commonwealth, who is formally recognized and responsible for providing\nmedical direction, oversight, and quality improvement to an EMS agency.\n\nHISTORY: 1996, c. 899; 1999, c. 1000; 2000, c. 939; 2008, c. 118; 2015, cc. 502,\n503.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}