EMS: “Do not sign on to AAA plan”
The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), and Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association (Metro Chiefs) are asking fire service leaders not sign on to the American Ambulance Association (AAA) proposal for a national emergency medical services (EMS) cost-reporting system because the plan “may be harmful to fire-based EMS agencies.”
In a press release, the IAFC noted the following information: The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-123) restored the Medicare Ambulance Add-On Payments (Add-On Payments) and required the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to develop a data collection system of the costs for providing EMS throughout the nation.
The organizations support the concept of CMS using a cost survey to reform the Medicare Ambulance Fee Schedule and potential reimbursement for alternative EMS delivery models such as treat-and-release and transportation to alternative destinations, but they have developed a fire-based EMS cost-reporting work group that will recommend that the CMS adopt a system similar to that now used by more than 1,000 fire departments across nearly a dozen states as part of the Ground Emergency Medical Transportation program. The organizations are asking all state and fire service leaders to support this effort and reject the AAA plan.
More than 2,700 attend 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb in Wisconsin
More than 2,700 people from across the nation gathered at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Saturday, September 22, for the Sixth Annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb memorializing the 343 Fire Department of New York firefighters who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. More than $135,000 was raised in support of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF). The event was cosponsored by Pierce Manufacturing and the Green Bay Metro Fire Department.
“Each year, the Green Bay Metro Fire Department forms a team and encourages community members to participate alongside those in the fire service,” said Lieutenant Shauna Walesh, life safety educator/PIO with the Green Bay Metro Fire Department. “It’s an honor to symbolically finish the climb that many firefighters were unable to complete that day.”
“Since its inception, the Pierce Manufacturing team has been grateful for the opportunity to co-sponsor the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb along with the Green Bay Metro Fire Department,” said Jim Johnson, president of Pierce Manufacturing. “Not only is it an incredible day of remembrance and reflection, supporting the NFFF helps provide access to critical resources for survivors and co-workers of fallen firefighters.”
Updated National EMS Scope of Practice Model
A process for quickly updating the National EMS Scope of Practice Model so that the emergency medical services profession can adapt and safely innovate in step with technological and scientific developments is available at https://bit.ly/2EEQakX. A group of experts convened by the National Association of State EMS Officials developed this model with support from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Office of EMS. The fully revised model is expected to be completed later this year. For more information on the model, visit ems.gov/education.html.
Bergen County, NJ, supports stronger building codes
The Bergen County Board of Freeholders passed in October a resolution to endorse statewide legislation to amend the state’s construction code for fire safety. The resolution supports Assembly Bill 135 and Senate Bill 1261, which call for installing an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with NFPA 13, measuring the number of stories from the grade plane, using noncombustible materials for construction, and installing a fire barrier extending from the foundation to the roof with a fire resistance rating of at least two hours. Additional information is at http://buildwithstrength.com/.
Congress approves FAA Reauthorization, Disaster Reform
The U.S. Senate approved in October H.R. 302, the FAA Reauthorization Act, which authorizes the Federal Aviation Administration for five years. The legislation also contains revisions to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster response preparation policies. Among the provisions are incentives for states and localities to adopt building codes to protect their communities and approval to use Pre-Disaster Mitigation funds for building code development and enforcement. In addition, FEMA is authorized to provide Hazard Mitigation Assistance to areas affected by wildland fires. The House of Representatives approved H.R. 302 on September 26. The bill will now be sent to the White House for the President’s signature.
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