Federal Interagency Committee on EMS Strategic Plan
Author | : Federal Interagency Committee on EMS. |
Publisher | : |
Total Pages | : 37 |
Release | : 2013 |
Genre | : |
ISBN | : |
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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.