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Subject: CALL ON CONGRESS TO SUPPORT EMS PROVIDERS IN CORONA VIRUS LEGISLATION

NYS EMS Leaders,

The U.S. Congress is in the process of drafting additional legislation to help the nation cope with the Corona Virus pandemic.  None of the bills passed thus far have provided direct funding relief or protection for our nation’s EMTs and Paramedics.

NAEMT is activating a grassroots campaign to call upon Congress to provide direct assistance to EMS.

It only takes a few minutes for you to send letters to New York’s Senators and members of Congress to ask them to include direct funding for EMS in the next Corona Virus funding bill.  The campaign can be accessed through the NAEMT website at: http://www.naemt.org/advocacy/online-legislative-service#/.

The link above will allow you to send e-mails to our elected representatives.  It will take less than 1 minute.

Thank you for all that you are doing to keep your community safe in this difficult time.

Be Safe,

Steve Kroll, NAEMT Advocacy Coordinator for New York State (steven.kroll@delmarems.org)

Travis Howe, NAEMT Assistant Advocacy Coordinator for New York State (thowe@mountainlakesems.org)

The all EMS agency leadership meeting has been moved to 15:00 on Friday, April 3rd.  When the meeting info is released, we will distribute on this list.

Sincerely,

UBMD EMS Division

Beginning today (March 31) at Noon – the key pad at the Buffalo General Medical Center’s ambulance bay will no longer be active.

All arriving crews should utilize the intercom located directly next to the key pad and security will open the door.

Notice from BGMC will be provided once the key pad is active again.

The Western Regional Emergency Medical Advisory Committee (WREMAC) has extended this year’s reporting date for annual skills.  Normally, skills are reported by June 30 each year.  This year’s reporting date has been extended to September 30, 2020.

Until such time when it is safe to do so, agencies should not be conducting WREMAC annual skills sessions.

On behalf of the Western Regional Emergency Medical Advisory Committee (WREMAC), transporting EMS services are reminded to bring the patient’s prescribed metered-dose inhaler(s) (MDI) with the patient to the hospital.

This weekly meeting is to update New York State EMS Agency leadership on the current events related to EMS and COVID19.

UPDATE: Due to the large number of participants expected, we are asking that participants please submit questions prior to the meeting via the below survey:

https://apps.health.ny.gov/pubpal/builder/survey/nys-covid-19-response-ems-agency

During the meeting, please use the Q&A box located in the Webex platform for questions or comments.

Please remember not to put your phone on hold while on the call.

Please remember to shut off your computer microphone and speakers if you are calling in by phone to avoid echo.

Please feel free to share this invitation with other EMS agency leadership.  

We do ask that agency leadership then after the call share the information with their agency providers.

Please find downloadable documents:

1. EMS Viral Pandemic Triage Protocol
2. Patients Not Transported by EMS patient handout

This EMS protocol has been approved by the New York State Commissioner of Health and should be implemented in all regions.

Download EMS Viral Pandemic Triage Protocol (APPROVED FINAL 03.22.20)

Download Handout – Patients Not Transported By EMS (APPROVED FINAL 03.22.20)

Steven P. Dziura Jr.

Deputy Director

New York State Department of Health

Bureau of Emergency Medical Services & Trauma Systems

875 Central Avenue
Albany, New York 12206

Effective 3:30PM on Saturday, March 21st, the Emergency Department at St. Joseph’s Hospital went on full diversion and at 7PM it closed.  Important information related to this closure can be found in the documents below.

Download St. Joseph Campus ED Closure Notices

New policy: 20-04 COVID-19 EMS Provider Exposure.

Please note: this policy is not yet reflected on the Bureau’s website but is expected to post shortly (link below).

Download 20-04 COVID19 EMS Provider Exposure 03.20.20 DOH FINAL

LINK to Bureau’s policy page: https://www.health.ny.gov/professionals/ems/policy/policy.htm

The NYS Bureau of EMS and Trauma Systems currently has 3 policy statements to aid in COVID preparedness/responses.  The 3 policies are as follows:

• 20-02 COVID-19 EMS Practitioner Guidance
• 20-03 COVID-19 County Emergency Manager, County EMS Coordinator, and PSAP Guidance
• 20-05 COVID-19 Response to Respiratory Emergencies (just released)

These policies can change frequently.  It is important to visit the Bureau’s policy page routinely to ensure you have the most up-to-date version of each policy.

https://www.health.ny.gov/professionals/ems/policy/policy.htm