USFA Pilot Course Tackles EMS Quality Management
Wise EMS agencies are concerned about quality management. But where can you turn for help in doing it right?
This summer, you can turn to Maryland, where the U.S. Fire Administration will conduct a six-day pilot of its new course, "Emergency Medical Services: Quality Management" (P158).
To be held at the National Emergency Training Center (NETC) in Emmitsburg, the EMS Quality Management course will provide the "critical components, background and principles associated with the implementation or enhancement of a department's quality management program." It will teach students how to create, implement and maintain such programs, using historical examples, current models and best practices from the areas of quality assurance and improvement, process improvement and data collection and analysis.
As they progress through the course, students will work to construct their own quality management program. At the course's conclusion, they will present their program with their classmates and instructors, producing a concrete model attendees can take home to their departments and use to guide further efforts.
The course will be held July 25-30 and can accommodate 22 students. Participants should be individuals with department-level quality management (i.e., quality assurance, quality improvement) responsibilities. These can range from field responder to department chief officer or medical director. Prerequisites include ICS 100 and ICS 200 level training. Preferred courses are Q462 and Q463, available through NFA Online.
Applicants should complete a FEMA General Admissions application and send it by March 1 to the NETC Admissions Office, Building I, Room 216, 16825 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg, MD 21727. It may also be faxed to 301/447-1441.
Stipends are available to help eligible students attend, but the USFA warns that applicants should not make plans to attend until they're notified of their acceptance in writing by the NETC Admissions Office.
