EMS System Review - State of New Jersey

State of New Jersey, DHSS, OEMSConsulting Services: EMS System ReviewSTANDARDS AND LICENSING: Volunteer EMS system should support licensing, providerstandards and the statewide information system. Taking the lead in these areas will allowvolunteer EMS to develop a clear indication of their value to the citizens. Having information onresponse time, patient care and revenues (whether collected or not) will allow volunteer EMSorganizations to quantify their worth. Simple threats of service demise and tax scares are nolonger acceptable to citizens and politicians who have more sophisticated knowledge concerninghealth care.CONSOLIDATION: Use the new information being gathered to help determine the size andstrength of organizations. Volunteer leadership must step forward and encourage squadconsolidations as an effort to enhance the volunteers’ strength within their community. Logicdictates that if a similar area can be covered by one organization from one location with one setof administrators and line officers and a pool of experienced people, then three or four separatesquads are unnecessary. EMS is being challenged to show how they affect patient outcomemedically and financially. As this information becomes available, volunteer services will bepositioned to expect municipal support.PUBLIC RELATIONS: The NJDEMS should invest in a statewide campaign to createmedia programs to encourage volunteerism. This should be a professional approach featuringname recognized actors and New Jersey volunteers shown in various capacities (I.e. providingcare, fund-raising, illness and injury prevention, and administrative). The theme shouldemphasize that “everybody can do something.”TRAINING: Increase the accessibility to EMT-B training using technology such as videostreaming and distributive learning for appropriate segments. This may reduce travel time andexpense.COMBINATION SERVICES: Offer less resistance to the need for combinationcareer/volunteer services. Career augmentation, especially during daytimes, may allowvolunteers to focus their time and effort into 100 percent availability during the times which theyare responsible for.LEADERSHIP: Good leadership goes a long way toward keeping members. State and localmunicipalities should invest in EMS leadership training for local squad officers. Having goodhuman resources skills helps to create a positive environment, free from harassment and unfairpractices.CITIZEN CORP: Volunteer EMS should embrace the FEMA Citizens Corp Program. Thisprogram uses members of the community to be of help during natural and manmade disasters byassisting first responders in providing services not requiring extensive training. Some EMSTriData, a Division of 128September 2007System Planning Corporation