Ems Strategic Planning

Congress mandated creation of the Federal Interagency Committee on Emergency Medical Services (FICEMS) in 2005, in order to ensure coordination among Federal agencies supporting local, regional, State, tribal, and territorial EMS and 9-1-1 systems. The FICEMS was also created to improve the delivery of emergency medical services (EMS) throughout the nation. The FICEMS accomplishes its mission by coordinating projects across the Federal government, predominantly for prehospital issues. Accordingly, FICEMS responsibilities include the following: 1) identifying EMS and 9-1-1 needs; 2) recommending new or expanded EMS and communication technologies; 3) identifying ways to streamline the process through which Federal agencies support EMS; 4) assisting local, regional, State, tribal, and territorial EMS in setting priorities; 5) advising, consulting, and making recommendations on matters related to implementation of coordinated State EMS programs. The conduct of the FICEMS activities is the responsibility of three organizational bodies: the FICEMS members, the Technical Working Group (TWG), and committees. The FICEMS is comprised of representatives from the Departments of Homeland Security (DHS), Transportation, Health and Human Services, and Defense, as well as the Federal Communications Commission and one State EMS director. The TWG is a working body of entities that sit on the FICEMS. The TWG meets monthly and coordinates much of the day-to-day EMS activities of the Federal government. Six committees currently support the work of the FICEMS by providing specialized expertise to both the TWG and FICEMS. Implementation of this strategic plan may necessitate a revision of the TWG committee structure. In addition, the National Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council (NEMSAC) provides advice and recommendations to FICEMS from a non-federal perspective. NEMSAC is a Federal Advisory Council established by statute consisting of 25 non-Federal EMS experts who advise both the FICEMS and the Secretary of Transportation on matters related to EMS. By statute, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of EMS provides the FICEMS primary administrative support, including scheduling meetings, setting agendas, keeping records, and producing reports. Currently the director of NHTSA's Office of Emergency Medical Services chairs the TWG. Given the FICEMS's significant responsibilities, it is essential that the organization have a five-year strategic plan. This strategic plan is a shared vision among Federal agencies that support EMS. Once implemented, an overarching strategic plan for the FICEMS should help to improve the federal support of local, regional, State, tribal, and territorial EMS and 9-1-1 systems and facilitate their collective mission of saving lives.

From the author: This 3rd edition is about organized common sense in the fire service. Section One provides support to fire departments that already have a strategic plan and just need to update and revise their existing plan. I have found over my 30 years of consulting with fire department’s that they want to accomplish their next iteration of their strategic plan as rapidly as possible. Section Two provides a detailed “How-to” guide to help a fire department create its first strategic plan. Section Two is divided into four parts: (1) Understanding the Department, (2) Understanding the Situation, (3) Understanding the Strategic Issues Facing the Department, and (4) Creating Organizational Change. A new chapter (Chapter 20) provides assistance to those departments having challenges with their strategic plan and obtaining the desired outcomes/results. It adds a new troubleshooting process for those departments having challenges to create an effective and successful strategic plan. The book is designed to be effective as a manual to develop an individual fire department’s strategic plan as well as a textbook for use in upper division college/university courses or as a text for post-graduate courses.

EMS Supervisor provides entry-level, mid-level, senior, and prospective EMS supervisors with a managerial leadership reference guide offering a roadmap to dealing with common challenges faced by those in leadership roles.

For courses in EMS Management Management of EMS offers a solid resource to help readers learn how to take on the unique challenges of EMS Management, including the strategic planning needed to create comprehensive and successful EMS Management programs. The text's teaching learning package includes an Instructor's Resource Manual and PowerPoint slides. Teaching and Learning Experience Provides protocol and examples, along with real-life stories of success Offers a solid resource for frontline EMS supervisors

Additional keywords : Paramedics, EMS dispatch ; emergency calls, hospital offload delay (TBRHSC), ambulances availability, patient transfer - transportation, SNEMS.