NHTSA, NASEMSO Announce Initiative to Address EMS Fatigue Risks

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) officially announced its new initiative with the National Association of State EMS Officials (NASEMSO) about the development of voluntary fatigue risk management guidelines and resources tailored to the EMS occupation at a national stakeholder meeting on Feb. 2, 2016, in Washington, DC.

Brief presentations addressed the potential dangers of drowsy and fatigued driving and the work of EMS practitioners, including the risk of traffic crashes and providing patient care, a summary of the project goals and methods for coming to consensus on EBG fatigue risk management guidelines, the plan for dissemination of EBGs, and additional project related activities and information.

A majority of the time in the meeting was set aside to accept questions and comments from registered attendees and an ongoing dialogue is encouraged to ensure that voluntary fatigue risk management guidelines will address the needs of the entire and diverse EMS community.

For more information, visit emsfatigue.org.