(1) An emergency services supervisory organization (ESSO) is defined in RCW 18.73.030 and is an organization recognized by the secretary to use certified EMS providers.

(2) An ESSO must be one of the following organization types:

(a) Federal, state, county, or municipal law enforcement agency;

(b) Disaster management organizations within Washington state that deploy county emergency management teams during disasters. A letter of endorsement from the appropriate department of emergency management having jurisdiction must be provided with the application for recognition as an ESSO;

(c) Organizations conducting search and rescue (SAR) operations. This includes:

(i) Ski patrol organizations that provide medical, rescue, and hazard prevention services and medical care to sick and injured people in ski area boundaries or sometimes into backcountry settings and remote environments; or

(ii) SAR organizations functioning under chapter 38.52 RCW. A letter of endorsement from the local chief law enforcement officer (usually the county sheriff) must be provided with the application for recognition as an ESSO for search and rescue operations;

(d) Diversion centers. These are organizations that provide short-term placement and shelter to homeless adults with substance use disorders or behavioral health issues. Diversion centers offer services to divert people away from incarceration and toward treatment; or

(e) Businesses with organized industrial safety teams such as refineries, large manufacturing plants, mining operations, or aerospace manufacturing plants.

(3) To become recognized as an ESSO an applicant must:

(a) Be an organization type identified in subsection (2) of this section;

(b) Provide a completed application on forms provided by the department;

(c) Provide an operational plan that meets the requirements identified on the application;

(d) Provide a current list of certified EMS providers;

(e) Request comments and recommendation for recognition as an ESSO from the local EMS and trauma care council and the county medical program director in all counties in which the organization will be conducting activities using certified EMS providers; and

(f) Be approved for recognition by the department.

(4) Recognized ESSOs must:

(a) Ensure that certified emergency medical services providers work under the medical oversight and protocols of a department-approved county medical program director;

(b) Ensure that certified emergency medical services providers work within the scope of practice for their level of certification;

(c) Ensure that certified emergency medical services providers can meet the training requirements to maintain their certification;

(d) Comply with department-approved prehospital triage procedures, regional EMS and trauma care plans, patient care procedures, county operating procedures, MPD policies and patient care protocols; and

(e) Provide the medical equipment listed in WAC 246-976-300 for the level of service the ESSO will provide.

(5) To renew an ESSO recognition, an applicant must:

(a) Be an organization type identified in subsection (2) of this section;

(b) Provide a completed application on forms provided by the department;

(c) Provide an operational plan that meets the requirements identified on the application;

(d) Provide a current list of certified EMS personnel; and

(e) Be approved by the department for renewal.