The National Association of State EMS Officials (NASEMSO) announces the availability of a new document intended to support national implementation of the EMS Education Agenda for the Future: A Systems Approach (Education Agenda). Developed to support State implementation activities, the “2009 National EMS Education Standards Gap Analysis Template” describes key transition elements and provides greater understanding about the differences between the National Standard Curricula and the recently published EMS Education Standards. The content includes:

• Introduction
• Cross Reference of Education Standards and Instructional Guidelines
• Glossary of Abbreviations and Terms
• Knowledge and Skill Comparison: Emergency Medical Responder
• Knowledge and Skill Comparison: Emergency Medical Technician
• Knowledge and Skill Comparison: Advanced Emergency Medical Technician
• Knowledge and Skill Comparison: Paramedic
• “Essential” Content for Transition Courses
• Skill Spreadsheet: National Standard Curricula to National SOP Model
• Blank Checklist for Stakeholder Use

The 2009 National EMS Education Standards Gap Analysis Template is intended for use by States, educators and others as they begin to define the specifics of what will be different at the state and local level between current EMS education delivery and future EMS education delivery. States will find this resource useful to consider "gaps" between an existing scope of practice compared to what may be implemented under the new SOP model and the Education Standards. Educators may similarly use this document to begin identifying educational content that will need to be accounted for in the transition of existing EMS personnel as well as the delivery of new programs in the future. Publishers may find it helpful in the development of adjunct material to support the implementation of the Education Agenda.

Any subsequent edits or corrections will be made through the NASEMSO version on the Association’s web site. NASEMSO is not responsible for versions of the document re-distributed by other parties. The2009 National EMS Education Standards Gap Analysis Template is now available on the NASEMSO web site at www.nasemso.org. An Education Agenda Implementation Timeline is currently under development and the annual survey on state implementation of the Education Agenda (the “dot” survey) is currently in progress. These materials are expected to be available at the 2009 NASEMSO Annual Meeting in Little Rock, AR September 20-25, 2009.