The Emergency Medical Services Clarification Amendment Act of 2026 aims to enhance the accuracy and transparency of emergency and non-emergency call responses managed by the Office of Unified Communications (OUC) in Washington, D.C. The bill clarifies the role of the Fire & EMS Medical Director, explicitly designating them as the Medical Director of OUC, thereby granting them oversight and decision-making authority over all clinical aspects of pre-hospital emergency medical services. This includes the establishment and revision of dispatch protocols and quality assurance measures for emergency medical services.
Additionally, the legislation codifies a training requirement for call takers and dispatchers, mandating that they obtain Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) certification within one year of employment or within one year of the bill's enactment for current employees. This certification ensures that all personnel are trained in handling emergency medical calls according to national best practices, thereby improving the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the DC911 call center. The bill reflects ongoing efforts to address previous complaints regarding call response times and operational errors, ultimately aiming to protect public safety and trust in emergency services.