Interstate EMS Personnel Licensing Compact Activates for COVID-19

PRESS RELEASE

At the regular meeting of the Interstate Commission for EMS Personnel Practice (EMS Compact Commission) on Tuesday March 10, 2020, the EMS Compact Commission approved use of the EMS Compact process effective Monday March 16, 2020 in response to personnel needs associated with COVID-19. This decision enables EMS personnel licensed in Compact member states (home states) to cross state borders using a privilege to practice and work in other Compact states (remote state) without getting an EMS license in the remote state.

EMS Compact Commission Chair, Joe Schmider (Texas) said, “We already know of EMS personnel in states around the country who are in quarantine from occupational contacts with suspected ill patients. For many EMS agencies, the loss of a few key personnel for two weeks, even if they don’t become ill, can stress daily operations. The EMS Compact was built in part for this exact scenario. We want the EMS Compact to be one more tool in the toolbox that states can use in responding to this evolving public health event.”

The EMS Compact became effective in 2017 when the 10th state passed EMS Compact legislation, currently 18 states have passed legislation and two states are waiting on a Governor’s signature or other final steps in the adoption process. Since that time, the Commission has passed rules to enable Compact cross border operations. It has also been working on a coordinated data system for states to share information on the license status and any adverse actions taken on EMS personnel.

The coordinated data system is expected to become operational later this year. In the interim, the member states have agreed to exchange a simple paper form verifying the license status of personnel in their home state who may be crossing a state border to assist with staffing in a remote state. Once the full coordinated data system is operational, this information will be automated and states will be able to query the license status of personnel from any other EMS Compact member state.

Chairperson Schmider also said; “This EMS Compact has been built to both make life easier for EMS personnel and to protect the public being served. Given the uncertainties associated with the current Covid-19 outbreak, activating the EMS Compact at this time is a key element of protecting the public by making EMS personnel available when local resources are reduced.”

Editor's Note: The Interstate Commission for EMS Personnel Practice announced March 17, 2020 that Indiana was the latest state to join the EMS Compact. Below is the press release:

On Friday March 13, 2020, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb signed legislation making that state the 20th to join the EMS Compact. The statute is effective 90 days from signing.

The EMS Compact enables licensed EMS personnel to cross state borders using a privilege to practice in other EMS Compact member states without obtaining a separate license. Other provisions of the EMS Compact legislation include a coordinated personnel licensing data system for member states to share information on their licensed personnel. The Compact also supports expedited licensing in member states for military personnel and their spouses upon discharge from service. In addition to Indiana, several other states are considering EMS Compact legislation this year.

Dr. Michael Kaufmann, State EMS Medical Director said, "This EMS Compact just makes sense for Indiana. We have borders with four other states and are hopeful that our entry into the Compact gives an incentive for our neighbors to join. My thanks to our legislature, our Governor and all the groups that supported this legislation."

The EMS Compact became operational in 2017 when the 10th state passed legislation to join and the Interstate Commission for EMS Personnel Practice was formed. Since that time the Commission has adopted rules for operations and is close to rolling out the coordinated personnel data system. In response to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, the Compact Commission is immediately activating the privilege to practice provisions under the Compact legislation using a manual system for states to exchange personnel information.

Compact Commission Chair, Joseph Schmider of Texas said, "It’s great to have Indiana on board as our 20th state! We all need to be finding ways to help our EMS personnel be able to serve more efficiently. Getting into the Compact now, as COVID-19 is still expanding, gives Indiana one more strategy in managing this outbreak. I want to personally thank Dr. Kaufmann for his leadership and vision in supporting this legislation."

For more information, please contact Dan Manz, Educator, Interstate Commission for EMS Personnel Practice at dmanz@emscompact.gov

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