THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY CAUSER, BARRAR, SAINATO, BAKER, CALTAGIRONE, COHEN, DAY, DENLINGER, EVERETT, FARRY, FLECK, GABLER, GINGRICH, GOODMAN, GRELL, HENNESSEY, HORNAMAN, KULA, O'NEILL, PICKETT, QUINN, RAPP, ROCK, SONNEY, STERN, SWANGER, TALLMAN, THOMAS, VULAKOVICH AND MURT, JUNE 2, 2011

AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, DECEMBER 6, 2011   

A RESOLUTION

Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee and the

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Joint State Government Commission to study the financial and

administrative effectiveness of the emergency medical

services system.

WHEREAS, The Emergency Medical Services System Act was

enacted as 35 Pa.C.S. Ch. 81 (relating to emergency medical

services system) to replace the former act of July 3, 1985

(P.L.164, No.45), known as the Emergency Medical Services Act;

and

WHEREAS, The enactment of the Emergency Medical Services

System Act was the culmination of years of research and

preparation to update the emergency medical services delivery

system in this Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, The Emergency Medical Services System Act changed

the emergency medical services delivery system from a system

based on national standards to a system based on curriculum; and

WHEREAS, The Commonwealth should continually assess and

revise the statutes and regulations which govern the functions

of emergency medical services agencies and providers and other

components of the emergency medical services system; and

WHEREAS, It is the public policy of the General Assembly to

ensure that the emergency medical services system adapts to

changing needs of the residents of this Commonwealth and

promotes the recruitment and retention of persons willing and

qualified to serve as emergency medical services providers in

this Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, The General Assembly finds it to be in the public

interest to ensure readily available and coordinated emergency

medical services of the highest quality to the citizens of this

great Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, There have been many changes in technology and

organizational administration since the inception of the former

Emergency Medical Services Act, such as the advent of the

community college system, online computer courses, national

associations and local area programs for emergency medical

services training; and 

WHEREAS, Changes in technology, systems management,

infrastructure and communications capabilities allow for the

Commonwealth to explore more beneficial approaches for the

provision of the highest quality system for the delivery of

emergency medical services, training and planning, as well as

all-hazard emergency preparedness and disaster response training

and planning; and

WHEREAS, The approximate $11,800,000 in annual funding for

these emergency medical services under the Emergency Medical

Services Operating Fund may be more effectively used under a

more streamlined system which uses existing training, planning

and infrastructure resources; and

WHEREAS, The Commonwealth's Regional Counter-Terrorism Task

Force infrastructure is a model for the country and may serve as

a model for streamlining the current emergency medical services

system in this Commonwealth; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the

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Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study the financial

and administrative effectiveness of the emergency medical

services system, including the responsibility of the Bureau of

Emergency Medical Services and the use, role and effectiveness

of the 16 regional emergency medical services councils; and be

it further

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the

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Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a

performance review of the financial administration of the

emergency medical services system under the Emergency Medical

Services Operating Fund. The performance review shall include an

analysis of the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, the

Pennsylvania Emergency Health Service Council and the 16

regional emergency medical services councils; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the committee Joint State Government

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Commission explore enhancing the current system for the delivery

of the Commonwealth's emergency medical system through the use

of existing government and private sector programs,

institutions, facilities and infrastructure resources and

nationally recognized associations and organizations to and that

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the commission especially explore the feasibility of using the

Commonwealth's many colleges and universities and community

colleges, taking into account the availability of online

services and courses and the use of adjunct professors; and be

it further

RESOLVED, That the committee Joint State Government

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Commission examine the possibility of streamlining and

restructuring the regional emergency medical services system and

examine the feasibility of matching the regional emergency

medical services councils to the current regional counter-

terrorism zones within this Commonwealth to minimize the

duplication of services and overlapping jurisdictions; and be it

further

RESOLVED, That the committee Legislative Budget and Finance

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Committee prepare a comprehensive listing of both the

expenditures of the Emergency Medical Services Operating Fund

and a comprehensive listing of all compensation packages of all

employees of the regional emergency medical services councils 

including the Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council;

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and be it further

RESOLVED, That the committee make recommendations for a more

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streamlined delivery model based on the findings of the

committee; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the committee issue a report of its findings

and recommendations to the Veterans Affairs and Emergency

Preparedness Committee of the House of Representatives by

December 31, 2011

RESOLVED, That both the committee and commission make

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recommendations for a more streamlined delivery model based on

their findings; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission develop

legislation based on their findings; and be it further

RESOLVED, That both the committee and commission issue a

joint report of their findings and recommendations to the Chief

Clerk of the House of Representatives by November 30, 2012.