The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has posted “Interim Guidance for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems and 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) for Management of Patients with Known or Suspected Ebola Virus Disease in the United States” online at the following URL:
http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/hcp/interim-guidance-emergency-medical-services-systems-911-public-safety-answering-points-management-patients-known-suspected-united-states.html.
Staff and representatives from the Federal Interagency Committee on Emergency Medical Services (FICEMS) collaborated with the CDC to provide technical input to the guidance. FICEMS includes representatives from the U.S. Department of Transportation (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Office of Health Affairs and U.S. Fire Administration), U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Health Resources and Services Administration and Indian Health Service), the Federal Communications Commission and an appointed State EMS director.
Coordination among PSAPs, the EMS system, healthcare facilities, and the public health system is important for a coordinated response to Ebola. Each 9-1-1 and EMS system should seek the involvement of an EMS medical director to provide appropriate medical oversight. The guidance provided in this document is based on current knowledge of Ebola. It is intended for 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Points, EMS and medical first responders including firefighters and law enforcement personnel. The guidance is not intended to set forth mandatory requirements or establish national standards.