Rural EMS Committee
Overview | Projects | Resources | 2015 Work Plan
Rural EMS Committee Chair
Tom Nehring, Director
Division of Trauma and EMS
North Dakota Department of Health
trnehring@nd.gov
Staff Liaison
Kevin McGinnis, NASEMSO Program Manager
McGinnis@nasemso.org
Overview
The provision of emergency medical services in the rural environment poses many challenges. The remoteness and inaccessibility of some rural and wilderness areas significantly reduces the capacity of EMS agencies to respond to a patient in need. Other challenges include poor provider reimbursement, recruitment and retention difficulties, a dwindling pool of volunteer personnel, aging infrastructure, communication technology problems, lack of access to qualified medical direction, and continuing education. NASEMSO recognizes the need for a continued focus on the needs facing the EMS systems in rural and frontier areas.
Rural EMS Committee Purpose:
- Engage NASEMSO on topics relevant to rural and frontier EMS.
- Provide rural input and expertise to the NASEMSO organization and executive committee.
- Promote interaction and collaboration with other rural EMS partners.
Currently, the key focus of the Rural EMS Committee is participation in the Joint Committee on Rural Emergency Care (JCREC).
Meeting Schedule:
The Rural EMS Committee generally meets in person twice a year at the NASEMSO Mid-Year and Annual Meetings. Conference calls are scheduled on an as-needed basis.
- Oct. 6, 2014 (Annual Meeting, Cleveland, OH)