Responders Ready for EMS on the Hill
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In 16 days, EMS personnel from across the country will respond to the Nation's Capital.
Nearly 200 people to date -- mainly EMTs and paramedics -- have indicated they will attend the first EMS on the Hill event.
The stakeholders will be visiting their legislators on May 4 explaining their concerns and asking for support on a number of issues.
Funding is one of their main items on their agenda. Advocates quote the IOM report that EMS and trauma systems have to a large extent been overlooked in disaster preparedness planning at both the state and federal levels.
"Although field EMS personnel comprise 1/3 of the nation's first responders, they have historically received less than 5 percent of Homeland Security grant funds," according to the IOM report.
Radio interoperability also is of concern, and EMS personnel are requesting that they be included in planning and funding as the upgrades are made.
They also are seeking support to upgrade equipment and training for those who provide care in rural areas.
The overwhelming response from personnel from across the country has stunned organizers.
"We thought we would call it successful if we had 50 or 60," said Pam Lane, NAEMT executive director. "Registrations just keep coming in..."
As of late last week, providers from at least 41 states had made plans to participate. "We have rather large delegations from California, Tennessee and Pennsylvania..."
Lane said the message is clear -- EMS folks want to have a voice in Washington.
While NAEMT is the primary coordinator, she stresses that EMS on the Hill is not an NAEMT event. Educators, emergency physicians and others are actively participating.
The organization took the lead to promote it after its advocacy committee relayed the interest for the lobbying activity, said Jerry Johnston, NAEMT past president and chair of the advocacy committee.
Impressed by the annual event sponsored by CFSI that encourages firefighters to visit their representatives on the Hill, Johnston said it was decided that EMS should have a similar function.
"Having EMS people in uniform visiting their representatives sends a powerful message," Johnston said. "They want to have a voice in D.C., and be recognized for the job they do..."
More than 200 visits have been arranged, Lane said, adding that officials are well aware of the legislators' busy schedules.
Participants will have a briefing on May 3, and receive information on various issues before they head to the Hill the next day.
Advocates for EMS President Kurt Krumperman said field providers have indicated for some time that they want to be engaged in the political process.
He added that he hopes this will be an annual event. "Many letters have gone out requesting appointments, and those are being nailed down as we speak..."
Krumperman said he is impressed by the commitment of so many to be part of it. For some, it will be their first trip to Washington, D.C.
With that in mind, a former congressman from Florida will address the group about making the best of sessions with their representatives.
