This document outlines the current policy priorities of NAEMT and is a companion document to NAEMT’s Strategic Plan for 2007-2008.
Mission Statement
The mission of the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians is to represent and serve Emergency Medical Services personnel through advocacy, educational programs and research.
NAEMT Policy Platform Areas for 2007-08
I. EMS Workforce Issues
We believe the role of NAEMT is to champion, inform and educate workers, employers and government and non-government organizations about EMS workforce issues, rights, benefits and resources.
Many EMS agencies report shortages of EMS personnel. NAEMT believes the current reported shortage of EMS workers may be related to the diverse way in which EMS workers – both paid and volunteer – are recognized and rewarded for the work they do. We also believe shortages may be related to the changing demographics in many suburban, rural and frontier areas, and more study of the problem is needed.
We believe that paid EMS personnel should be recognized and rewarded for their work commensurate with other allied health workers and public safety workers in their locations. We believe volunteer EMS personnel should receive insurance that will cover them in the event of injury, illness or disability that is a result of providing EMS services. We believe all EMS providers should receive disability and death benefits on par with police officers and firefighters.
NAEMT believes all EMS personnel are entitled to work in an environment where safety and health are top operational priorities.
Health and safety are vital in maintaining a quality EMS workforce. Personal fitness is essential to providing patient care in all settings, environments, seasons and times of the day or night. Providers, employers and policymakers all play important roles in promoting and maintaining the health of the EMS workforce. The prehospital environment poses many occupational hazards to workers, including injury, disease exposure and emotional/psychological trauma. As first responders to disasters and terrorism, the occupational risks to EMS personnel must be protected through investment in more research of occupational hazards and increased safety training and equipment.
II. Cooperation and Relationships in EMS
NAEMT believes working cooperatively with all segments of the EMS community on a national level benefits EMTs and Paramedics everywhere.
The delivery of emergency medical services (EMS) is a team effort. EMS personnel represent the frontline of a large, diverse and complex system. The ability to respond to a call for help is the result of planning, legislation, regulation, education, funding, organization and leadership. These activities take place at all levels of government and are influenced by numerous governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, trade and professional associations, and a wide variety of groups and projects that span many disciplines and professions. The activities of these groups often have important implications for EMS personnel.
To adequately represent all U.S. EMS personnel regardless of where and for whom they work, NAEMT must have open and constructive working relationships with all the major federal agencies involved in EMS, as well as all national associations and organizations that have influence on EMS personnel. These relationships should include liaisons, cooperation and/or dialogue on projects, policies and plans that are important to EMS personnel. An ongoing knowledge of, and dialogue with, the leadership of all national agencies and organizations is vital to these relationships. At such times that NAEMT is unable to agree or cooperatively work with agencies or associations, an ongoing dialogue between NAEMT leaders and those organizations is vital to keeping NAEMT members aware of and informed about issues.
NAEMT believes it is imperative that EMS professionals maintain close relationships with the medical community and continues to seek opportunities to work collaboratively with physicians and other medical and healthcare professionals.
III. Federal Leadership in EMS
NAEMT believes there is a need for the consolidation of a single, high-level U.S. federal EMS entity on par with fire and police. NAEMT believes that EMS is distinct from fire services and should be recognized as such. NAEMT believes the decision of where a federal entity is located within the federal government structure must reflect a consensus of all of the major national EMS stakeholders. While this entity is being planned, NAEMT supports working cooperatively with the Office of EMS with in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Federal Interagency Committee on Emergency Medical Services (FICEMS).
IV. EMS Preparedness
NAEMT believes that EMS is a vital part of the national EMS response to national disasters and national medical crisis. We believe that NAEMT and EMS should be an integral part of any national disaster and medical crisis planning. We believe that EMS must be recognized, funded and prepared by the federal government to provide the services of emergency medical response and transport in national disasters and emergencies.
V. Universal Access to EMS Care and Funding
NAEMT believes in universal access to EMS care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay, location and socioeconomic status. Appropriate, compassionate and high-quality patient care is the ultimate goal of the services provided by EMS personnel. The U.S. healthcare system is currently experiencing dramatic increases in the cost of services, high numbers of uninsured patients, overcrowded emergency departments, an aging population, declining rural services and shortages in healthcare workers. All of these affect EMS in terms of operational costs, diversion, availability of services and public perception. Anecdotally, NAEMT has heard that these issues affect patient access to EMS.
We believe organizations, associations and the government should work together to create balanced and equitable funding for EMS (that includes a cost-based methodology) in all geographic locations to insure reasonable access to emergency medical services.
VI. Quality Educational Programs
NAEMT believes in creating and maintaining quality educational programs for EMS personnel.
Since 1984, NAEMT has been a leading provider of top-quality EMS education. Currently, NAEMT offers three unique educational programs to advance the knowledge and skills of EMS professionals. Each program provides hands-on training designed to refine clinical and critical thinking skills in the fast-paced prehospital emergency environment. With more than 30,000 annual course participants around the world, these programs set the standard for quality prehospital education and improved patient care. These programs are continually being updated and revised to reflect the latest in clinical care. We believe that we should continue to analyze and evaluate opportunities to provide or collaborate in providing additional EMS educational programs; both clinical and non-clinical.
VII. Military EMS Support
NAEMT believes that EMS personnel serving in the military and any federal government service should receive recognition and continuing education. We believe EMS personnel serving in hostile theaters should be able to maintain their credentials to practice in the most efficient and effective manner possible.
VIII. International EMS
NAEMT believes in a global EMS community. Much can be learned from establishing relationships with EMS providers and organizations around the world. Through NAEMT’s International Division, the association reaches out to providers around the world and seeks to create collaborations and services in support of international EMS.
IX. Organizational Integrity and Transparency
As the oldest and largest EMS member association, NAEMT believes it must operate its organizational business with integrity and complete transparency to members and the EMS community. Leaders are asked to sign Code of Ethics and Conflict of Interest Guidance for NAEMT Board of Directors and are required to reveal any conflicts of interest in fulfilling their organizational roles.
X. Research
NAEMT believes in advocating for and supporting research in the areas of workforce, patient care, operations and EMS systems.