August 20th, 2009

On Tuesday, Gov. Rendell signed into law a bill that revamps the state’s Emergency Medical Services Law.

Reports the Pike County Press:

[Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20)], who chairs the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, said Senate Bill 240 [replaces] the existing Emergency Medical Services Law with one that is more coordinated and responsive to the current EMS needs of the state.

“With nearly two million emergency calls placed per year, the need for service is escalating, as is the pressure for quality and dependability.  We are grateful for the exceptional skill and commitment of the thousands who serve,” said Baker.  “Unfortunately, their good work can be hindered by having to operate under an outdated state law.  This effort to revamp the law is meant to help EMS workers do the very best they can.”

The senator noted that in the 1980s, most EMS organizations were adjuncts of local fire companies.  But today, only about a third are volunteers.  Changes in workforce, technology and service configurations have all made it necessary to revamp the existing law to reflect current practices and protocols.

Currently, the system is made up of 53,000 EMS providers operating 1,014 ambulance services.  Those providers responded to more than 1.8 million patient encounters in 2008 – or a dispatch every 18 seconds. The state law no longer reflects the fast-response, high-tech, crisis-centered world, Baker said

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The legislation has been ten years in the making, incorporating numerous revisions to reflect input from providers and concerned organizations.  Senate Bill 240 adopts national education standards, allows for new provider certification levels, and defines the role played by the state Department of Health and the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services.