EMS on the Hill: Vol. 2 No. 4, October 2008
EMS on the Hill: Vol. 2 No. 4, October 2008
Welcome to the latest issue of EMS on the Hill, a newsletter representing the work of a broad group of EMS organizations dedicated to achieving positive change and recognition for emergency medical services at the state and federal levels. In July 2007, this group of organizations met to review the recommendations of the 2006 IOM Crossroads report and develop priorities and action items to help make these recommendations reality. This newsletter will provide updates on those action items, plus discuss other critical industry issues.
NEMSAC ADDRESSES SPECIFIC ISSUES
Committees established to define priorities
WASHINGTON, D.C.-Specific issues facing EMS personnel across the country are being addressed by the recently formed National EMS Advisory Council. Safety and finance were among the top priorities selected by the 26-member panel appointed by the Secretary of Transportation to advise NHTSA on EMS issues.
The hot-button topics were developed following brainstorming sessions, telephone calls and e-mails, says Drew Dawson, EMS director at NHTSA.
"There were a number of issues discussed. And, the panel finally whittled them down to these for now," Dawson says.
Committees were established to investigate each topic, identify the data that exists and determine issues germane to the subject, explains Dia Gainor, NEMSAC chair. She adds that people with expertise in the field may be called upon to assist: "If a committee believes someone with valuable insight could be an asset, we'll consider them."
The committees include:
Safety: Led by Jeff Lindsey, the panel is looking at myriad issues including ambulance design, lighting, highway safety, personnel safety and driver qualifications.
Systems: Headed by Kyle Gorman, this group will look at model EMS systems for rural and urban jurisdictions as well as other issues such as the need for agency credentialing.
Analysis, Oversight and Research: Chaired by Dr. Ritu Sahni, the members will study things such as patient safety, medical oversight and errors.
Finance: Kurt Krumperman is leading the people looking at all facets of monetary issues. In addition to reimbursement concerns, they also will review the costs of readiness and prevention.
Education and Workforce: Led by Kevin Staley, the members will look at leadership development, standard licensure issues and personnel credentialing.
"We will have a good, solid description of the issues," Gainor says, adding that the council discussed and voted on the priorities that needed to be addressed.
-Susan Nicol Kyle, EMSResponder.com
EMERGENCY PLAN MEANS NATIONWIDE INTEROPERABILITY IN SIGHT
National Emergency Communications Plan defines interop standards
After years of progress, it appears that the goal of realizing communications interoperability nationwide is in sight. The reason: On July 31, 2008, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) unveiled its National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP). Simply put, the NECP is a national strategic plan that clearly defines standards, practices and deadlines for achieving public safety interoperable communications.
To make this happen, "The NECP defines three goals that establish a minimum level of interoperable communications and milestones for federal, state, local, and tribal agencies to achieve," says DHS Deputy Press Secretary Amy Kudwa. "The goals are as follows: By 2010, 90% of all high-risk Urban Areas designated within the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) are able to demonstrate response-level emergency communications within one hour for routine events involving multiple jurisdictions and agencies. By a year later, 75% of non-UASI jurisdictions are able to demonstrate response-level emergency communications within one hour for routine events involving multiple jurisdictions and agencies. Finally, by 2013, 75% of all jurisdictions are able to demonstrate response-level emergency communications within three hours of a significant event as outlined in national planning scenarios."
