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This Week in EMS: A Recap for March 31 - April 6, 2007
Congress has resuscitated the Trauma Care Systems Planning and Development Act.
The reauthorized measure -- expected to be signed soon by President Bush -- offers assistance to states developing trauma systems, and focuses attention on EMS in rural areas.
It has been authorized for $12 million annually for the first two years, but has not yet been funded. Although that is a major concern, EMS officials say they are pleased that Congress has finally breathed new life in a vital issue. Several previous attempts to get the measure reauthorized had failed.
The original act passed in 1990. Before its sunset the program was under the Public Health Service Act, and despite its demise, many involved EMS officials have continued to share resources, technology and information.
For more on this legislation visit the EMSResponder.com article: Congress Breathes New Life into Trauma Care Bill.
In other industry-wide news this week, the Federal Communications Commission announced plans for major improvements in 911 call tracking, as the number of calls from cell phones exceeds those coming from landlines.
FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said he will support a request by emergency responders to tighten requirements on how accuracy is measured. He also said he will open a new inquiry at the agency that may lead to significant changes in how cell phone companies manufacture handsets.
The effort comes in advance of a new study from the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials that will highlight the limitations of "enhanced" 911 systems.
To read more about the history and current issues in 911 call tracking, and more about the proposed changes, read the full article: FCC Seeks to Reform 911 Call Tracking.
Website Update:
There will not be a Friday news recap next week, April 7 -- 13, but this newsletter will resume the following week and review all major news and announcements for both weeks.
Reminders:
Applications are due by May 4, 2007 for the Department of Homeland Security's 2007 Assistance to Firefighters Grants program, which will award approximately $492.3 million this year to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations.
For more information visit: Application Period Opens for Federal Fire and EMS Grants.
The 15th annual National EMS Memorial Service will be held in Roanoke, Virginia on May 26. For memorial details, visit the article: Honorees Announced for the 2007 National EMS Memorial Service.
For anyone interested in participating in the EMS Memorial Bike Ride this year, which honors those EMS personnel who gave their lives by riding from New York to Roanoke, VA, the group still has room for riders and teams who can provide their own lodging and transportation. They will leave NY on Sunday, May 20th, and anyone who is still interested is encouraged to contact them.
There is also still time to join the new Kentucky EMS Memorial Bike Ride, which will leave on May 20th from Somerset, KY and eventually meet up with the riders from New York to enter Roanoke as one large group.
To learn more about participating or providing support for these events, visit their websites at www.emsbikeride.org and www.kyemsride.com.
Nominations continue to be accepted for EMS Magazine's 22nd Annual EMT/Paramedic of the Year Award, sponsored by Braun Industries and ZOLL Medical Corporation. Nominations must be received by July 2, 2007.
For full contest rules and instructions please visit www.emsresponder.com/paramedic.
Other top headlines on EMSResponder.com this week:
