Most states’ EMS and 911 pandemic influenza preparedness systems are inadequate, according to a November 2009 study released by the Federal Interagency Committee on Emergency Medical Services (FICEMS). Having found serious gaps between the states’ preparedness systems and the 2007 federal preparedness guidelines, the FICEMS study details the states’ shortcomings and recommends five strategies, with associated short- and long-term action steps, to be taken by FICEMS member agencies to improve EMS system preparedness nationally.
The first FICEMS recommendation is to improve federal financial and technical assistance to support EMS and 911 by ensuring federal grant program support for improving state and local EMS in the short term and by creating a new State EMS System Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Grant Program in the long term, among other actions. Additional recommendations include:
- Enhancing federal and local efforts to ensure the personal protection and safety of EMS personnel
- Enhancing medical direction and clinical oversight of EMS systems and PSAPs
- Providing appropriate just-in-time education to personnel
- Expanding integration of EMS systems into innovative community mitigation strategies, including sentinel surveillance, targeted antiviral prophylaxis, mass vaccination and treatment without transport
- Enhancing continuity of operations and surge capacity planning for EMS systems
“State EMS System Pandemic Influenza Preparedness: A Report of the FICEMS” is at nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/DOT/ems/files/State_EMS_System_Pandemic_Influenza_Preparedness.pdf.
Grant Application Information Available; Earliest Due in February
The Department of Homeland Security has published guidance on preparedness grants totaling $2.7 billion for emergency response programs, including those that help fire and ambulance departments fund planning, organization, equipment purchases, training and exercises.
Among the grant programs of interest to EMS services are the Homeland Security Grant Program—which includes State Homeland Security Program, Metropolitan Medical Response System Program and Metropolitan Medical Response System Program grants—and the Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program, with applications due April 19 for both programs. Interoperable Emergency Communications Grant Program applications are due early this month, Feb. 12. These programs support the goals described in the National Preparedness Guidelines, the National Response Framework and the National Infrastructure Protection Plan.
The agency has reduced administrative paperwork for state and local governments and will allow localities to use preparedness funds for ongoing maintenance contracts, warranties, and repair or replacement costs, among other changes, according to the guidance document.To view the document and see charts detailing the funding allocations by state for select grant programs, visit dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/grant-program-overview-fy2010.pdf.
Health Reform Could Benefit Ambulances
The Senate passed its version of health care reform before members left for their winter break. The legislation contains a one-year extension, starting on Jan. 1, of the 2 percent urban, 3 percent rural and super rural bonus payment increases for paramedic services. Without an extension, the Medicare ambulance relief currently in place would have expired at the end of 2009. Air ambulance rates are addressed similarly in a separate section of the bill, as is support for emergency medical services for children.
The Senate amended the House version, which contained similar language extending ambulance rates, but the two plans still differ in several areas. Once the differences are resolved by both houses of Congress and each body passes a common bill, it can go to President Obama to be signed into law.
Standards for Wireless Emergency Alerts Announced
As part of the nation’s next generation of emergency alert and warning networks, federal agencies announced the adoption of design specifications for the development of a gateway interface that will enable wireless carriers to provide customers with timely emergency alerts and warnings through their cell phones and other mobile devices. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Communications Commission adopted the specifications as part of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System.
The Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS) is a combined effort of the federal government and participating cellular providers to define a common standard for cellular alerts. This will provide federal and local officials with the ability to send 90-character geographically targeted text messages to the public regarding warnings of imminent threats to life and property. With this December 2009 announcement, commercial mobile service providers that have elected to participate in the CMAS design specifications begin the 28-month period, mandated by the FCC in August 2008, to develop, test and deploy the system and deliver the text-based mobile alerts to the public by 2012. The messages will be transmitted with vibration and audio attention signals so they can be noticed by people with disabilities, in accordance with FCC rules.
