BY ROBERT SWIFT
HARRISBURG BUREAU CHIEF
Published:
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Updated: Thursday, September 18, 2008 4:16 AM EDT
HARRISBURG — A
bill setting liability protection terms for Pennsylvania’s emergency medical
services workers was approved Wednesday by a Senate committee.
The measure, sponsored by Sen. Lisa Baker, R-20, limits EMS workers from being
sued for a range of actions taken in good faith unless gross negligence or
willful misconduct on their part is proven.
It was approved by the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness
Committee, of which Ms. Baker serves as chairwoman.
Overall, Ms. Baker’s legislation seeks the first revamping of state regulation
of the EMS network in 20 years. During that period, the EMS network has shifted
from relying primarily on volunteers based in fire departments to becoming
mostly professionalized. Some 51,000 Pennsylvanians are employed as first
responders, medical technicians paramedics, nurses and physicians in the
network.
The legislation recognizes these changes by giving the state Health Department
authority to expand the list of jobs, or scope of practice, that EMS employees
can undertake, said Ms. Baker.
The bill encourages ambulance squads and quick-response teams to cooperate to
provide continuous 24-hour service in areas where it is lacking.
Other provisions would:
■ Require all EMS agencies to have a medical director.
■ Provide for emergency suspension of an EMS certificate of an individual who
presents a clear and immediate danger to the public and automatic suspension if
an individual is judged incompetent by the court.
The bill stems from a legislative report four years ago that recommended a
number of changes to modernize Pennsylvania’s fire protection and EMS network.
State Health Department officials have held more than 50 local meetings to brief
EMS workers about the bill.
The Ambulance Association of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Medical Society and
Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Services Institute are among statewide groups
supporting the bill.
Ms. Baker anticipates a Senate floor vote on her bill before the fall session
ends. A companion bill is in the House.
Contact the writer:
rswift@timesshamrock.com