HR0059 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0059 LRB096 05730 RPM 15800 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act enacted by Public Act 81-1518, passed December 15, 1980 and Amendment 88-1 mandates the establishment within the Department of Public Health a central authority responsible for the coordination and integration of all activities within the State concerning pre-hospital and inter-hospital emergency medical services, as well as non-emergency medical transports and the overall planning, evaluation, and regulation of pre-hospital emergency medical services systems; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Emergency Medical Services Director position has been vacant for over 3 years, leaving all Illinoisans at risk; and

WHEREAS, There is an urgent need for the leadership of an Emergency Medical Services Director within each of the 11 EMS Regions immediately; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that pursuant to Public Act 81-1518, it is mandated that the State must appoint an Emergency Medical Services Director immediately; and be it further

RESOLVED, That he or she must, at a minimum, have current credentials as an Emergency Medical Services provider and have extensive and current knowledge of all aspects of the EMS system; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Emergency Medical Services Director must encompass all aspects related to the quality and availability of medical care within the State; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Emergency Medical Services Director must serve as an advocate for efficient and effective emergency medical services throughout the State; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Emergency Medical Services Director must ensure that the delivery of emergency medical care is consistent with prevailing standards and that quality of care management is maintained in a manner that ensures professional and public accountability for emergency medical care provided in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Emergency Medical Services Director must appoint and oversee each of the State's EMS Regional Directors and their committee members and ensure all prevailing statutes are complied with according to federal and State laws, establish an office of Pre-EMS to address bystander care intervention, and appoint its officer; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the newly appointed Emergency Medical Services Director must report directly to the Director of Public Health and secure a statewide Emergency Medical Services budget, through the Illinois Department of Public Health to accommodate the growing needs of EMS throughout this State.