State by State June 2021

WASHINGTON, D.C.: EMS Advocates Make Cases to Congress in Virtual Visits

The annual EMS On the Hill Day lobbying effort was held in April, bringing EMS advocates face to face with lawmakers to discuss legislation important to the industry. This year’s visits with Senators and Representatives were held virtually. Four legislative priorities were on the agenda to discuss: the Protecting Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act; funding for SIREN Act grants; the EMS Counts Act; and permanent reimbursement for treatment in place. For more on the bills, see https://naemt.org/events/ems-on-the-hill-day/2021-emshd-materials. 

ILLINOIS: Chicago Fire IG Report Finds Harassment, Discrimination

The Chicago Fire Department needs stronger policies to deal with sexual harassment and racial discrimination, the city’s watchdog found in a report. Inspector General Joseph Ferguson’s audit notes the overwhelmingly male and white department’s history of mistreatment of minorities and women. Of 45 female employees who responded to a workplace survey Ferguson’s office conducted, 26 reported sexual harassment. Of 285 total respondents, 132 reported racial discrimination. Twenty-eight out of 32 Black respondents reported racial discrimination. 

IOWA: Demand Low, 43 Counties Decline COVID Vax Doses

A lack of demand has caused 43 Iowa counties to decline new doses of COVID-19 vaccines. The state has asked counties to decline allocations when they can’t ensure that all allocated doses would be administered. Counties can also request only a partial allocation. Gov. Kim Reynolds said vaccinations are a key factor in returning to normal by fall and asked family members to encourage other family members to get vaccinated. The state, Reynolds said, will continue to focus on providing vaccination opportunities to college-aged students, hoping to inoculate that group of Iowans before they return home from school. 

NEW MEXICO: Santa Fe Becomes Latest to Add Alternative Response

After years of development, the city of Santa Fe is preparing to launch a new emergency response unit with a goal of alleviating the workload of the police and fire departments and providing better support to community members in crisis. The Alternative Response Unit will be a multidepartment unit composed of a police officer, a paramedic, a behavioral health caseworker and a social worker to address low-threat 9-1-1 calls in which someone may need help rather than a jail cell. The unit was to begin operating May 4 two days a week, with hopes of expanding this summer.