HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 ESB 6033

             As Reported By House Committee on:

                         Health Care

Title:  An act relating to emergency service medical personnel.

Brief Description:  Modifying certification provisions for emergency medical services personnel.

Sponsor(s):  Senators West and Johnson.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Health Care, February 27, 1992, DPA.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

HEALTH CARE

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Braddock, Chair; Day, Vice Chair; Moyer, Ranking Minority Member; Casada, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Cantwell; Edmondson; Franklin; Morris; Paris; Prentice; and Sprenkle.

Staff:  Antonio Sanchez (786-7383).

Background:  Under current law, some emergency medical service (EMS) personnel receive initial certification and recertification for a period of two years, while other EMS personnel are certified or recertified for three years.  The two-year period applies to physician trained intravenous therapy technicians, airway management technicians, and mobile intensive care paramedics.

Ambulance operators are currently licensed for three years, while ambulance vehicles are licensed for one year.  All ambulance operators are required to have at least a certificate of advanced first aid qualification.

Summary of Amended Bill:  Certification and recertification of physician trained intravenous therapy technicians, airway management technicians, and mobile intensive care paramedics are valid for three years.

Licenses issued to both ambulance drivers and ambulances are valid for two years each.

Amended Bill Compared to Engrossed Bill:  The amended bill eliminates the requirement for ambulance operators to have at least a certificate of advanced first aid qualification recognized by the secretary unless there are at least two certified emergency medical technicians in attendance of the patient, in which case, a noncertified individual may drive the ambulance.

The amended bill removes the repealer eliminating the requirement that ambulance personnel have certification in advanced first aid.

Emergency medical technicians, life support personnel and others credentialed pursuant to the chapter, are included under the Uniform Disciplinary Act consistent with the responsibilities of the medical program directors.

Fiscal Note:  Requested February 12, 1992.

Effective Date of Amended Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Constant pressure caused by recertification tests has caused EMS personnel to seek other types of employment.  Currently EMS personnel have the opportunity to keep their skills up to date in the field.  Emergency medical technicians have three-year recertifications and the same rule should apply to those EMS personnel covered by this bill.  Ambulances and ambulance drivers should be renewed on same cycle because it is safe and more convenient.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Howard Vietzke and Ted Rail, Washington State Council of Fire Fighters (pro); Pete Spiller, fire districts (pro); Susie Tracey, Washington State Medical Association and Washington Ambulance Association (pro); and Jack Citanovic, Department of Health (pro).