Title
An Ordinance to Create Section 6.07 of the West Allis Revised Municipal Code Relating to Public Information and Education Materials Distributed by Private Ambulance Providers.
Body
The Common Council of the City of West Allis do ordain as follows:
PART I. Section 6.07 of the Revised Municipal Code is hereby created to read:
Findings of Fact
That the Emergency Medical Services System within the City of West Allis is operated by the West Allis Fire Department, which is accessible for use by the general public by dialing 911. On occasion, citizens will request Emergency Medical Service by dialing the seven-digit number of a private ambulance provider. To insure the health, safety and welfare of its citizens, initial entry into the system is controlled by the West Allis Fire Department and the West Allis Police & Fire Dispatch Center.
That advertising by private ambulance companies that has not included a reference to the 911 system has led to confusion among the public. The City of West Allis has a substantial interest in regulating the advertising of ambulance companies to prevent public confusion regarding the proper phone number to call in the event of a life-threatening emergency. Accordingly, the City has determined that the following requirements are essential toward the end of insuring the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of West Allis and protecting the substantial interest of the City of West Allis.
6.07 PUBLIC INFORMATION AND EDUCATION MATERIALS DISTRIBUTED
BY PRIVATE AMBULANCE PROVIDERS.
Private ambulance providers operating in the City of West Allis shall:
(1) Not engage in advertising, communication, marketing, publicity, distributing of informational literature, or other such efforts, which misinform or misrepresent the nature of their ambulance service or its capacity or capability within the City of West Allis.
(2) Not knowingly advertise, communicate, market, or publicize their ambulance service for the care and handling of life-threatening emergencies in the City of West Allis.
(3) Not initiate, engage in, or participate with any efforts, whatever their nature, which are designed with the intent to disrupt or interfere with the orderly and regulated operation of the City of West Allis Emergency Medical Services System.
(4) (a) When distributing telephone stickers to the general public, use a standard format telephone sticker listing the appropriate telephone numbers for the Fire Department/Paramedics/Ambulance (911), for the Police Department (911) and the private provider's telephone number. When the private provider's telephone number is listed, the telephone sticker shall include the following statement prominently displayed:
"For Life-Threatening Emergencies, Call 911"
The letters and telephone numbers identifying the Fire Department/Paramedics/Ambulance (911) and the Police Department (911) shall be larger than the letters and telephone number of the private provider. All letters and numbers shall be of the same color.
(b) When utilizing all forms of marketing, including-without limitation by enumeration-written documents, newspaper and magazine advertising, note pads, electronic media (such as an internet web site) and television and radio advertising, include the words: "For Life-Threatening Emergencies, Call 911" in the text of the ad. These words must be visible by looking at the information straight on. In radio advertising, they shall be audible. In television advertising, they shall be both audible and visible. Pencils, pens and pins, and other small marketing items that do not reasonably allow room for these words are exempt from this requirement.
PART II. All ordinances or parts of ordinances contravening the provisions of this ordinance are hereby repealed.
PART III. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and publication.
ATTO-Create Sec 6.07