Section 515.965  Watercraft Requirements

In addition to the requirements specified in Section 515.900, an SEMSV Program using watercraft shall submit a program plan that includes the following:

a)         A statement signed by the EMS MD and SEMSV MD committing to the following duties and responsibilities:

1)         Supervising and managing of the program;

2)         Supervising and evaluating the quality of patient care provided by the watercraft crew;

3)         Developing written treatment protocols and standard operating procedures to be used by the watercraft crew during vehicle operation approved by the Department;

4)         Developing and approving a list of equipment and medications for all ages and approved by the Department to be available on the watercraft;

5)         Providing periodic review, at least quarterly, of patient care provided by the watercraft crew and submission of each review to the EMS system;

6)         Develop written policies on the use, need and special requirements of watercraft transfer and approved by the Department;

7)         Maintain current documentation of the qualifications of the watercraft crew;

8)         Assuring appropriate staffing of the watercraft:

A)        Each watercraft owned or operated by an EMS service provider shall have watercraft crew members assigned to a watercraft shall be approved by the EMS MD. Upon request, the EMS MD or SEMSV MD, who shall provide the Department with a list of all approved crew members and watercraft operators and update the list whenever a change in such personnel is made.

B)        For ALS operations, the watercraft shall be staffed by a crew of at least one Paramedic, PHRN, PHPA, PHAPRN, or physician, and one other EMT, A-EMT, EMT-I, Paramedic, PHRN, PHPA, PHAPRN, or physician, in addition to the watercraft operator.

C)        For BLS operations, the watercraft shall be staffed by a crew of at least two of the following: EMT, A-EMT, EMT-I, Paramedic, PHRN, PHPA, PHAPRN, or physician, one of whom may also be the watercraft operator.

D)        Except as provided for by subsection (b)(8)(E), each watercraft crew member shall document, appropriate to their scope of practice, completion of the following:

i)          Education as identified by the EMS MD; and

ii)         A boat safety course conducted pursuant to Section 5-18 of the Boat Registration and Safety Act [625 ILCS 45].

b)         The EMS MD's or the SEMSV MD's list of required medical equipment and medications for use on the watercraft (see Section 515.975);

c)         The EMS MD's or the SEMSV MD's standing orders (treatment protocols, standard operating procedures);

d)         A description of the communications system linking the watercraft with the SEMSV Medical Direction point;

e)         A description of the EMS System's method of providing emergency medical services using the SEMSV Program;

f)         A description and map of the service area for each vehicle;

g)         The identification number and description of all vehicles used in the program; and

h)         The procedure for transferring care to a transport provider.

(Source:  Amended at 48 Ill. Reg. 16159, effective November 1, 2024)