Group to Focus on Critical EMS Issues

BALTIMORE -- There are many issues facing EMS personnel around the country, and an expanded group will be giving them ­­an extra look.

The National Joint EMS Leadership Forum – comprised of representatives of several organizations – narrowed their focus to two issues – the nationwide drug shortage and NEMSIS.

The group discussed a number of matters during its inaugural meeting last week in Baltimore.

“We came up with a dozen things that need attention. But, we agreed to look at those two first,” said Dia Gainor, executive director of National Association of State EMS Officials (NASEMSO).

“As for NEMSIS, we’re interested in where it is and how it’s moving forward,” she said adding that the information gleaned is essential as officials move toward establishing evidence-based EMS guidelines.

NEMSIS is a database established to collect, store and share EMS information. It is a project of NHTSA.

The nationwide drug shortage and expiration of medications also has providers concerned. Two working groups will delve into these issues.

Gainor believes this truly a way for organizations to have a voice in the myriad of issues. FICEMS, for instance, is comprised of federal partners and one person representing NAEMSO.

And, while there are various organizations represented on NEMSAC, they really don’t speak for their associations. This venue will give them that opportunity, she says.

The group also is staying away, at least for now, from calling itself a committee or council. NASEMSO officials have agreed to handle logistics and facilitate the discussions as there are no officers.

They will be meeting four times annually, and will be scheduling those in conjunction with EMS conferences such as EMSWorld. Members say they also would like to have their sessions coincide, when possible, with FICEMS and NEMSAC.

The original group, founded in 2000, consisted only of NEMSO and National Association of EMS Physicians. It was during that first year that Advocates for EMS was established.

A few years later, representatives of NAEMT, National Association of EMS Educators and National EMS Managers Association were included.

In January, it was decided to expand once again to bring other associations to the table. “There are universal concerns that involve all of us,” Gainor said adding that there are often complaints about EMS groups being fractured when it comes to policies and issues.

The new members of the group represent the IAFC, Aero Medical Association, American Ambulance Association, International Association of EMS Chiefs, EMS Labor Alliance and the IAFF. All were present at the first meeting except the IAFF.