(a)
(1) It is legislatively determined that it may be desirable for cities of the first class, cities of the second class, and counties within this state to be authorized to own, operate, permit, control, manage, franchise, license, and regulate emergency medical services, emergency medical technicians, emergency and nonemergency ambulances, ambulance companies, their relative properties, facilities, equipment, personnel, and all aspects attendant to providing emergency medical services and ambulance operations as the cities and counties may deem proper to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of their citizens.
(2) In addition, it is legislatively determined that, in order to accomplish the purposes enumerated in this chapter, it may also be necessary for the cities and counties, in addition to all other powers granted in this chapter, to enact and establish standards, rules, and regulations that are equal to, or greater than, the minimum standards and rules established by the state, pursuant to §§ 20-13-201 — 20-13-209 and 20-13-211, concerning emergency medical services, emergency medical technicians, ambulances, ambulance companies, their relative properties, facilities, equipment, personnel, and all aspects attendant to providing emergency medical services and ambulance operations within the boundaries of their respective cities or in respect to the unincorporated areas of the county.
(3) Further, it is the legislative intent that the standards, rules, and regulations shall not be less than those established by the state.
(b)
(1) It is further legislatively determined that emergency medical services and ambulance operations, when subjected to competitive practices of multiple companies simultaneously serving the same city or with respect to the unincorporated areas of the county, operate under precarious financial conditions and that this type of competition is harmful to the health, safety, and welfare of residents of the state.
(2) However, it is also legislatively determined that periodic competition among companies for the right to provide ambulance services offers a safe and effective means of encouraging fair and equitable private-sector participation.
(3) Therefore, in order to ensure the availability of state-of-the-art advanced life-support systems and ambulance systems, the General Assembly specifically delegates and grants to cities of the first class, cities of the second class, and counties the power to contract exclusively or otherwise, using competitive procurement methods, for the provision of emergency medical services and ambulance services for the city and within the unincorporated areas of the county to provide continuing supervision of those services.
(c)
(1) The General Assembly has determined that this chapter grants cities of the first class, cities of the second class, and counties broad authority regarding emergency medical services and nonemergency medical services.
(2) The General Assembly has further determined that cities of the first class, cities of the second class, and counties should be allowed to enter into agreements with other cities within the county where they are located or with the county wherein they are located regarding emergency medical services and nonemergency medical services.
(3) Therefore, cities of the first class and cities of the second class may enter into interlocal agreements with other cities located within the county wherein the city of the first class or city of the second class is located, or with the county wherein the city of the first class or city of the second class is located, and thereby exercise as a cooperative governmental unit all power granted to the city of the first class, city of the second class, or county by this chapter.