An eligible organization must meet the transportation, vehicle, and communication standards in this section to receive an endorsement.

(1) Transportation plan. An eligible organization must have a transportation plan.

(a) The plan's policies and procedures must explain how the organization will:

(i) Comply with regional transportation procedures;

(ii) Provide timely transportation when a transport need is identified, as clinically appropriate;

(iii) Ensure safe transport for passengers and staff;

(iv) Ensure all staff who transport passengers are legally qualified to operate the vehicle;

(v) Arrange for alternative transport when the team is unable to provide transportation;

(vi) Ensure that people experiencing mobility disabilities have safe transport to a facility; and

(vii) Document the reasons for an unsuccessful transport and how to address them in the future.

(b) An eligible organization must follow incident reporting guidelines and notify the authority of any critical incidents or accidents that occur during transport. Eligible organizations must use the critical incident reporting system.

(2) Vehicle requirements. An eligible organization must have access to an adequate number of vehicles to respond to and transport people experiencing significant behavioral health emergencies to a location that will provide the appropriate level of crisis stabilization services.

(a) Vehicles must:

(i) Be owned or leased by the eligible organization;

(ii) Have proper licensing and registration;

(iii) Be maintained in good working order; and

(iv) Meet all safety requirements.

An automotive service excellence (ASE) certified mechanic must complete a certificate of safety to demonstrate that the vehicle has passed a uniform vehicle safety inspection before the authority issues an endorsement or renewal. If there is concern that a vehicle does not meet all safety requirements after receiving an ASE certification, the authority or the behavioral health administrative services organization (BH-ASO) may require another formal inspection by a qualified professional.

(v) Have vehicle insurance coverage that applies to private, nonprofit transportation providers and meets the minimum limits of WAC 480-31-070;

(vi) Have 24 hour, seven days a week access to vehicles that meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements for transporting a person experiencing mobility disabilities or be a licensed ambulance or aid vehicle as described in chapter 18.73 RCW.

(b) If an eligible team does not have a vehicle that meets the requirements of (a)(vi) of this subsection, the team must have policies and procedures on how it will transport someone experiencing mobility disabilities.

(3) Equipment. All equipment must be maintained in good working order and requires a formal inspection by a qualified professional when requested by the authority or the contracted behavioral health administrative services organization (BH-ASO).

(a) Vehicle equipment. Vehicles operated by eligible organizations must have:

(i) The appropriate equipment to ensure the person being transported is unable to interfere with the driver's safe operation of the vehicle;

(ii) Doors and windows that can be secured by the driver;

(iii) Appropriate seat belts for the safety of staff and the person being transported, including child safety seats or booster seats as necessary;

(iv) Appropriate or necessary equipment to respond to weather conditions and roadside emergencies; and

(v) The ability to track the location of the vehicle and team.

(b) Communication equipment. All vehicles must be equipped with communication equipment that is in good working order.

(i) Equipment must allow for:

(A) Direct two-way communication between the team and its dispatch control point; and

(B) Communication with emergency services.

(ii) All teams must be equipped to access electronic health records (EHR) and referral records through a remote means, where coverage is available, and be able to print records when needed; and

(iii) All equipment must be compatible with authority-designated technology platforms.

(4) Other equipment. Eligible organizations must carry Naloxone.