In the near future, I will be introducing legislation to assist our emergency medical services agencies with recruitment and retention of EMS providers. My proposal would simplify and streamline the process of recertification for Emergency Medical Responders and Emergency Medical Technicians who were previously certified but whose certifications have expired.

Under current Department of Health regulations, a provider must go through the testing process if their certification is expired longer than one year. This is a significant barrier to getting providers back into the field. Under this legislation, a provider whose certification has been expired for six years or less may become recertified by completing the required continuing education credits, presenting a valid CPR card and submitting a signed form provided by the department from the chief officer of the EMS agency attesting to the provider’s skill competency.

Additionally, the legislation will provide regulatory relief for EMS agencies. Under the legislation, Emergency Medical Services Vehicle Operators would still be required to complete an approved training course but would no longer be required to complete continuing education credits. The chief officer of the EMS agency will determine which personnel are authorized to drive an emergency vehicle.

The legislation will also relieve a regulatory burden and provide flexibility to Advanced Life Support agencies regarding minimum staffing requirements when an agency receives multiple calls for service that exceed normal staffing levels. Under this requirement, an ALS ambulance could respond to an emergency call with one EMS provider at the Paramedic level or above and one Emergency Medical Services Vehicle Operator. The Department of Health would be permitted to authorize pilot projects or further waive minimum staffing requirements for exigent circumstances.

Please consider joining me in cosponsoring this legislation to help our struggling EMS agencies continue to provide life-saving services in our communities.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 3811: 35-8114(c), 35-8115(c), 35-8122(a), 35-8130