Building Bridges, One Lawmaker at a Time

For EMS, even a little political activity can yield important dividends. Look no further than Colorado, where a couple of years' activity at the statehouse by a group of motivated EMSers is already paying off.

It started in 2009, when the Emergency Medical Services Association of Colorado, which represents providers in the state, coordinated its first EMS Day at the Capitol in Denver. Leaders rallied key EMS and trauma players from across the state to descend as a group and meet with lawmakers. They came in ambulances, they came in uniform. The association hosted a lunch. And everyone got important face time with key legislators.

EMS participants got to make personal acquaintances and plead their cases in person. Receptive lawmakers learned about important community care issues and established valuable new connections.

"The benefits kind of start weaving themselves throughout the spectrum," says EMSAC President Chris Montera, chief of Western Eagle County Ambulance District in central Colorado. "We meet these legislators, then they go back to their communities and see us in caucus meetings and at events. They see us supporting them, and that in turn makes them more aware of what's going on in EMS. That will help us when we call them for help getting a bill through, or when there's a harmful bill we'd like them to come out against."

In 2010, with no urgent bills pending, leaders wanted to sustain their momentum, so they repeated the event, marshaling around 50 providers for a second visit. Legislators reciprocated by proclaiming January 26 as EMS Day in Colorado. The EMS delegation was invited onto the House floor as the joint resolution was read into the record.

That's some pretty quick payoff for just a couple of years of effort. But there's more that's gone into the process than just showing up and shaking hands. For instance--and this is vital to navigating the halls of any Capitol--there's affiliation with a lobbyist. It's essential to have, as part of your team, an insider who knows the rules, the protocols and how the game is played.

"I like the political system and feel like I understand it," says Montera. "But when you get there, it's kind of a machine. Our lobbyists have been on the hill for many years, and they understand how this machine works. Good or bad, it is a process, and one you really need to be aware of and respect."