Emergency Medical Services Authority

The Authority shall consist of five at-large community members. One or more of the at-large community members shall have expertise in business finance, budgeting, and accounting. The members shall be appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Council. The Authority shall be convened at the call of the Chairperson but shall meet not less than every two months. The terms of appointment of the initial members of the Authority shall be one year for two members, two years for two members, and three years for one member. Thereafter, the terms of appointment of these members shall be for three years.

At a minimum, the Authority shall prepare and recommend to the Mayor requirements as specified in §§ 9-4-4-1 et seq. concerning the delivery of EMS which are consistent with applicable state and federal laws. The Authority may recommend more stringent requirements as specified in §§ 9-4-4-1 et seq. concerning EMS when deemed appropriate. The Authority is charged with, and shall be responsible for, the oversight of these requirements within the scope of the powers of the Authority and the Executive Medical Director. The Authority shall consider the recommendation from the Board on issues related to patient care and the delivery of medical service. However, the Authority is responsible for the oversight of the EMS system. Ambulances, acting under regulation of the State Corporation Commission, shall respond within the 911 Emergency System as required by the City as stipulated in specific contractual agreements. In addition, all operators shall provide to the authority performance reports and statistics.

The Authority shall provide general oversight with regard to the operations of the EMS system and shall be responsible for the investigation and improvement

1. Assuring the on-line and off-line medical control exercised by physicians over ambulance and emergency medical services;
2. Enhancing the communications and dispatch systems of the EMS program;
3. Developing, publishing, disseminating, and insuring compliance with written medical protocols (which are the responsibility of the Executive Medical Director) to serve as the required standard of care;
4. Establishing objectively stated and measurable performance standards related directly or indirectly to clinical performance and patient care;
5. Developing an emergency medical services prevention program;
6. Conducting research concerning, and evaluating the provision of, EMS services. This activity shall involve developing and implementing a unified, medical records system for EMS services;
7. Engaging in such other actions which would result in needed improvements to the operation and efficiency of the EMS system.
8. EMS Authority Report. The Authority shall prepare and submit an annual report concerning its activities, finances, and the performance of the EMS system to the Council and the Mayor.