HOUSE BILL REPORT

                     ESB 6033

                         As Passed House - Amended

                               March 6, 1992

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;

Passed House, March 6, 1992, 96-0.

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 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.

Ambulance operators must 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.

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:  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).