§16-4C-18. Authority of emergency medical service personnel in charge of emergency medical services.

When any department, agency or entity which provides emergency medical services under the authority of this article is responding to, operating at or returning from an emergency medical service, any emergency medical service personnel serving in the capacity of an emergency medical service line officer in charge, shall control and direct the providing of emergency medical services. The emergency medical service personnel serving in the capacity of an emergency medical service line officer shall determine whether a patient shall be transported from the emergency scene, determine what care shall be rendered prior to the transport, determine the appropriate facility to which the patient shall be transported, and otherwise fully direct and control the providing of emergency medical services and patient care under the direction of medical command.

Nothing included in this section may be construed to restrict or interfere with the authority of a fire officer in charge to supervise or direct those fire department personnel under his or her command or to restrict any person from entering a hazardous area for which the fire officer has assumed the responsibility.