Fifty-six EMS Chiefs, Officers, Administrators and Directors from America’s largest cities, as well as representatives from EMS-related associations, gathered for the second Policy Summit to discuss salient issues regarding the EMS role in protection, preparedness, response, and recovery. Participants of the second National EMS Policy Summit represented the full spectrum of delivery models, including but not limited to: hospital-based, fire-based, private for-profit and third service providers. Fifteen observers were also present but did not participate in discussions or voting.
This Summit was convened by The George Washington University’s Homeland Security Policy Institute through a grant from the Department of Homeland Security as a follow-up to the first summit which was held October 16-17, 2006 in Washington, DC. The grant is being used for activities such as the Summit to develop research, education, and policy on EMS in America’s largest cities.
Participants at the second National EMS Preparedness Summit were divided into small discussion groups of seven. Each group had its own table facilitator, recorder, and Steering Committee member to ensure that every participant had the opportunity to voice their opinion.
On Monday, April 2, R. David Paulison, Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management, Director of FEMA, welcomed the participants to Washington, DC and thanked them for their public service. He also addressed:
- EMS as the “lost souls” of Washington, lacking a federal office equivalent to that of law enforcement and the fire service.
- EMS as a key part of the emergency response system.
- The “New FEMA” as a stronger, more nimble organization that will work for the public and not government; capitalize on partnerships with private entities; manage assets more effectively and efficiently; and embed preparedness as a core mission.
Following the keynote address, participants discussed the National Response Plan (NRP) Emergency Support Function (ESF) recommendation from the Steering Committee and interacted with a panel of executive branch representatives from the Departments of Transportation, Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs, and Health and Human Services.
Tuesday’s discussions focused on three key issues:
- Medical practice portability and use of protocols when EMTs and Paramedics respond to a large scale incident outside their jurisdictions
- PPE standards for EMTs & Paramedics who are responding to a large scale event
- Educational programs for better preparing EMTs & Paramedics for their response to a large scale event
Ideas from each table discussion were collected using networked computers at every table. A “theme team” reviewed the comments from all of the tables simultaneously and reported the common ideas back to the group within minutes. Then using keypad polling devices, the participants reviewed and prioritized these ideas in order to develop clear recommendations. The results from the polls were reported instantly to the group via large screens.
On Wednesday, participants first discussed the revised ESF recommendation. Next, they heard a presentation on EMS Information Gathering for Public Safety and discussed the issue. The Summit concluded with a review of the accomplishments from both Summits and a discussion of how to move the recommendations forward.
The proceedings of the Summit will be made public once they are reviewed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. For updates and further information, continue to visit www.nationalemspreparedness.org.
