§ 1301.80 — Security Controls For Emergency Medical Services Agencies

(a) Secured Storage Locations. A registered emergency medical services agency may store controlled substances at any of the following secured locations:

(1) A registered location of the agency;

(2) A designated location of the agency 30 days following notification to DEA in accordance with § 1301.20;

(3) In an emergency medical services vehicle situated at a registered location or designated location of the agency; or

(4) In an emergency medical services vehicle used by the agency that is traveling from, or returning to, a registered location or designated location of the agency while responding to an emergency, or when the emergency medical services vehicle is actively in use by the agency.

(b) Vehicle Locking Requirements. An emergency medical services vehicle storing controlled substances must be locked when parked outside of an enclosed registered or designated location, or when it is actively in use and left unattended during non-emergency stops. An emergency medical services vehicle storing controlled substances does not need to be locked only if:

(1) It is parked within an enclosed registered or designated location;

(2) It is at the scene of an emergency; or

(3) Emergency services personnel are in attendance. This includes situations when personnel are physically present and able to monitor the vehicle; such as when the vehicle is traveling to or from the scene of an emergency, or it is at public displays or educational events.

(c) Storage Components. Except when emergency medical services personnel are carrying controlled substances on their person or in a jump bag as set forth in paragraph (d) of this section, a registered emergency medical services agency must store controlled substances in a storage component that is identified as:

(1) A securely locked, substantially constructed cabinet or safe that cannot be readily removed; which is located at a secured location specified in paragraphs (a)(1) through (4) of this section; or

(2) An automated dispensing machine as defined in § 1300.01; which is

(i) Located at a secured location specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section;

(ii) Installed and operated by the emergency medical services agency;

(iii) Not used to directly dispense controlled substances to an ultimate user; and is

(iv) In compliance with the requirements of State law.

(d) Carrying Controlled Substances During Emergencies. Emergency medical services agency personnel may carry controlled substances on their person or in a jump bag instead of storing the controlled substances in a safe when responding to an emergency. The controlled substances must be returned to a storage component as described in paragraph (c) of this section when emergency medical services agency personnel are not currently engaged in responding to an emergency.