Landmark Paramedic Act Signed by Reagan 50 Years Ago This Week

PRESS RELEASE

Fifty years ago on July 15 Governor Ronald Reagan signed the first paramedic act into law at the state level in the United States. The Wedworth-Townsend Paramedic Act set in motion a new era for emergency medical services across the country.

In early 1970, things were heating up in Los Angeles as new technology and procedures were being implemented around mobile cardiac response. Doctors Walter Graf and J. Michael Criley had successfully trained paramedics to deliver pre-hospital care to heart attack patients without direct physician intervention in the ambulance (mobile coronary care unit) and transport those patients to the hospital for further treatment and recovery, resulting in increased survival rates for the patient.

The success of these paramedics working in the field also brought with it inherent risks. Issues from the administration of narcotics or the need to intubate to the crossing of jurisdictions and operational boundaries all provided a challenge. Doctors Criley and Graf teamed up with LA County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn to both formalize and legalize the new practice. Together, with input from others working in the emerging mobile pre-hospital care discipline, Criley and Graf drafted what would become the first Paramedic Act in the country. 

As the draft legislation took shape, the team needed to find someone to present the bill to the state representatives. Supervisor Hahn worked through his political network and the team approached Assemblyman Larry Townsend and Senator James Q. Wedworth to present the bill in the house. In writing to the governor, Senator Wedworth sums up the Wedworth-Townsend Act:

          Senate Bill 95B would permit paramedics to perform certain specified functions, as listed in Section 1482 of the bill. It would require the paramedics to receive special training in cardiac and noncardiac emergency care in a program certified by the County Health Official.

          The bill also defines the scope of function and practice of the “mobile intensive care paramedic” and provides that no act of an intensive care paramedic shall impose liability upon any entity or organization, members of their medical staff, nurses or other employees if good faith is exercised.

After initial reservations from the Governor, the bill was signed July 15, 1970 and put into effect immediately. Soon after, other states started to pass their own versions of a paramedic act, providing protective legislation for trained pre-hospital care providers.

National EMS Museum Director, Kristy Van Hoven said, “Today we celebrate the hard work and foresight necessary to write and pass the Wedworth-Townsend Act. We are inspired by the tireless efforts of our colleagues in the field who carry on the traditions of innovation, education, and sacrifice for the good of our patients. We thank them for keeping Californians safe and inspiring colleagues across the country.”

California’s EMS history is also available online via the National EMS Museum’s virtual exhibition California Responds: The Legacy of California’s Emergency Medical Services which can be accessed at www.emsmuseum.org/collections. This was made possible by generous donations and support from Global Medical Response, Hall Ambulance of Bakersfield and the California EMS Agency (EMSA). 

The California Ambulance Association is also dedicating an entire edition of its print and online magazine, The Siren, to commemorate the anniversary. It is planned to tell the story of California’s EMS development in words and pictures as well as highlight the leading figures that have played a part in California’s rich EMS history. Randolph Mantooth has signed on to write the foreword of the magazine.

To learn more about the National EMS Museum at emsmuseum.org and follow the Museum on social media @emsmuseum /@emsmuse for more news and events throughout the year.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the press release above belong solely to the company/vendor/author and do not necessarily reflect those of EMS World or HMP.