After receiving feedback from the first PAT committee meeting and in light of the strong interest expressed by the EMS community during the public hearing held on February 25, 2008, Karen Remley, MD, MBA, FAAP, State Health Commissioner, decided that a delay in designation of the regional councils is prudent.
Dr. Remley has issued a variance to the regulations that will have the effect of extending the application deadline for entities seeking designation as a Regional EMS Council from October 1, 2008 to March 1, 2009, as well as extending the current regulatory deadline for designation of Regional EMS Councils from July 1, 2009 to July 1, 2010.
§ 32.1-111.11 of the Code of Virginia establishes Regional EMS Councils, and defines their function and purpose. Specific code language can be found at the following link: Code of Virginia
Regulations governing Regional EMS Councils were promulgated by the State Board of Health, with an effective date of January 1, 2008. The regulations can be found in sections 2300 through 2740 at the following link: EMS Regulations
The Board of Health shall designate regional emergency medical services councils which shall be authorized to receive and disburse public funds. Each council shall be charged with the development and implementation of an efficient and effective regional emergency medical services delivery system. The Board of Health shall review those agencies that were the designated regional emergency medical services councils. The Board shall, in accordance with the standards established in its regulations, review and may renew or deny applications for such designations every three years. In its discretion, the Board may establish conditions for renewal of such designations or may solicit applications for designation as a regional emergency medical services council.
A process action team (PAT) has been created to evaluate the existing designated regional service areas and recommend the most effective and efficient arrangement of regional service areas, based on numerous national and state criteria, considerations and attributes. This PAT is comprised of representatives of the entities that comprise the EMS system in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Process Action Team Meeting - February 25, 2008
Process Action Team Meeting - February 26, 2008
The PAT will make a recommendation and presentation to the State EMS Advisory Board at a future meeting. This recommendation will include a proposal for Regional EMS Council service areas. Questions or input for the PAT can be directed to the Chair of the PAT, Mr. Gary Critzer.
The proposed service area maps appear in the link below. “Map A” is the original proposed service area map as distributed by OEMS on January 3rd.
After receiving stakeholder input and recommendations concerning various areas, “Map B”, as well as “Map C” were created. The Process Action Team is evaluating these maps as part of their charge.
Proposed Regional Council Service Area Maps
Regional EMS Council Designation and Proposed Service Area Consideration Process
Proposed Service Area Consideration Maps
Proposed Regional EMS Council Service Area Considerations (January 3, 2008)
Proposed Regional EMS Council Public Hearing Minutes - February 25, 2008
The public comment period regarding the proposed Regional EMS Council service areas that had been established by the Office of EMS has closed as of February 29, 2008. Any further Questions or input can be directed to the Chair of the PAT, Mr. Gary Critzer.
Guidance documents for the designation process are listed below:
Application for Designation as a Regional EMS Council
Designation Site Review Team Checklist - Reference Documents Only
Designation Evaluation Criteria - Reference Documents Only
Web sites and contact information for each of the Regional EMS Councils in Virginia can be found at the following link: Regional EMS Councils
In 2007, an independent, objective review and evaluation of the current structure and functions of the Regional Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Councils. The full study report, along with the Office of EMS position paper on the report, can be found below:
Regional EMS Council Study Report
Virginia OEMS Position Paper on Regional EMS Council Study Report
Questions related to Regional Coordination may be directed to: Tim Perkins, EMS Systems Planner
