§ 8109. Regional emergency medical services councils.
(a) Purpose.--Regional EMS councils shall assist the department in carrying out the provisions of this chapter. Each regional EMS council shall adhere to policy direction from the department.
(b) Organization.--For purposes of this chapter, the organizational structure of a regional EMS council shall be representative of the public, health professions and major private and public voluntary agencies, organizations and institutions concerned with providing EMS in the region and shall be one of the following:
(1) A unit of general local government, with an advisory council, meeting requirements for representation.
(2) A representative public entity administering a compact or other areawide arrangement or consortium.
(3) Any other public or private nonprofit entity that meets requirements for representation as determined by the department.
(c) Duties.--Each regional EMS council shall, if directed by the department:
(1) Assist the department in achieving the Statewide and regional EMS system components and goals described under section 8104 (relating to emergency medical services system programs).
(2) Assist the department in the collection and maintenance of standardized data and information as provided in section 8106 (relating to emergency medical services patient care reports).
(3) Prepare, annually review and revise, as needed, a regional EMS system plan for the EMS region the department has designated and for which the department has contracted or provided a grant to it to serve.
(4) Carry out, to the extent feasible, the Statewide and regional EMS system plans.
(5) Assure the reasonable availability of training and continuing education programs for EMS providers.
(6) Provide necessary and reasonable staff services and appropriate and convenient office facilities that can serve as the EMS region's location for the planning, maintenance and coordinative and evaluative functions of the council.
(7) Establish a mechanism to provide for input from facilities and EMS agencies in the EMS region in decisions that include, but are not limited to, membership on its governing body.
(8) Establish, subject to department approval, regional EMS triage, treatment and transportation protocols consistent with Statewide protocols adopted by the department. A regional EMS council may also establish, subject to department approval, additional triage, treatment and transportation protocols. No regional protocol shall be subject to the rulemaking process.
(9) Advise public safety answering points and municipal and county governments as to the EMS resources available for dispatching and recommend dispatch criteria that may be developed by the department or the council as approved by the department.
(10) Assist the department in achieving a unified Statewide EMS system.
(11) Designate a regional EMS medical director and establish a medical advisory committee and a quality improvement committee.
(12) Develop a conflict of interest policy, subject to department approval, and require its board or advisory council members, officials and employees to agree to the policy in writing.
(13) Perform other duties assigned by the department to assist the department in carrying out the requirements of this chapter.
(d) Regional EMS medical directors.--The department shall consult with the regional EMS medical directors in developing and adopting EMS protocols and may consult with them on any matter involved in the department's administration of this chapter.
Cross References. Section 8109 is referred to in sections 8112, 8128 of this title.
Structure Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Chapter 81 - Emergency Medical Services System
Section 8101 - Short title of chapter
Section 8102 - Declaration of policy
Section 8104 - Emergency medical services system programs
Section 8105 - Duties of department
Section 8106 - Emergency medical services patient care reports
Section 8107 - Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation
Section 8107.1 - Accreditation of trauma centers
Section 8107.2 - Submission of list
Section 8107.4 - Notification of trauma center closure
Section 8107.6 - Certification and financial report
Section 8108 - State Advisory Board
Section 8109 - Regional emergency medical services councils
Section 8111 - Comprehensive plan
Section 8112 - Contracts and grants
Section 8112.1 - Scholarships for recruitment, training and retention
Section 8113 - Emergency medical services providers
Section 8114 - Emergency medical responders
Section 8115 - Emergency medical technicians
Section 8116 - Advanced emergency medical technicians
Section 8118 - Prehospital registered nurses
Section 8119 - Prehospital physician extenders
Section 8120 - Prehospital emergency medical services physicians
Section 8121 - Certification sanctions
Section 8122 - Emergency medical services vehicle operators
Section 8123 - Suspension of certification
Section 8124 - Emergency medical services instructors
Section 8125 - Medical director of emergency medical services agency
Section 8126 - Medical command physicians and facility medical directors
Section 8127 - Medical command facilities
Section 8128 - Receiving facilities
Section 8129 - Emergency medical services agencies
Section 8130 - Advanced life support ambulances
Section 8132 - Advanced life support squad vehicles
Section 8133 - Basic life support ambulances
Section 8134 - Basic life support squad vehicles
Section 8135 - Quick response services
Section 8136 - Special operations emergency medical services
Section 8137 - First aid and other services
Section 8138 - Other vehicles and services
Section 8139 - Stretcher and wheelchair vehicles
Section 8140 - Conditional temporary licenses
Section 8141 - Plans of correction
Section 8142 - Emergency medical services agency license sanctions
Section 8151 - Limitations on liability
Section 8153 - Support of emergency medical services
Section 8154 - Prohibited acts
Section 8155 - Surrender of license, accreditation or certification