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Legislation giving firefighters statutory authority to transport patients to the hospital in emergency situations has been signed into law.

Senate Bill 1515, authored by Senator Darrell Weaver, a Republican of Moore, was signed by Governor Kevin Stitt on Monday.

Weaver filed the legislation in response to a situation where an Oklahoma City firefighter was disciplined for his decision to drive a 3-year-old burn victim to the hospital in his fire truck after waiting 20 minutes for an ambulance to arrive.

In a statement, Sen. Weaver said this is a common sense law:

“The child’s parents were extremely grateful for the firefighter’s actions, but under the current law, he didn’t have the authority to take the patient to the hospital. SB 1515 ensures important protocols will be followed, but allows flexibility in limited emergency situations.  I appreciate the tremendous support we received in both chambers and from the governor for this legislation.”

According to SB 1515, a certified emergency medical response agency would be authorized to provide limited transport in an emergency vehicle after receiving the approval of appropriate medical control.  Emergency transportation would not be required if a patient’s apparent clinical condition does not warrant emergency ambulance transport.

Representative Mike Osburn, R-Edmond, said the measure was a request bill by the Edmond and Oklahoma City Fire Departments. 

"Allowing emergency vehicles other than ambulances to transport someone to the hospital in an emergency situation or during a disaster – when every moment counts – will save lives and improve medical response times," Osburn said. "I was glad to be able to secure House passage of this common-sense update to statute and happy to see it signed into law."

SB 1515 will take effect Nov. 1, 2022.