FINAL BILL REPORT

                 ESHB 1541

                     Synopsis as Enacted

                         C 254 L 93

Brief Description: Requiring continuing emergency medical technician training instead of recertification.

By House Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Orr, Flemming, King, Dellwo and Mielke).

House Committee on Health Care

Senate Committee on Health & Human Services

Background:  The responsibilities of first responders and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are regulated by the state.  First responders and EMTs are emergency medical personnel who provide basic life-support in emergency situations.  First responders have at least 44 hours of training, and EMTs have 110 hours of training.  They must  be certified by the Department of Health, and recertified thereafter triennially.  For the purposes of recertification, both a written and practical examination are given.  However, if the applicant has passed a written examination and has completed a program of ongoing training and evaluation, no practical examination is required.

Summary:  The secretary of the Department of Health is required to prescribe ongoing training and evaluation requirements, as approved by the county medical program director, for first responder and emergency medical technicians.  Ongoing training and evaluation requirements are to include an evaluation of individual knowledge and skills.

First responder, emergency medical technicians, or emergency medical services provider agencies may elect a program of continuing education and a written and practical examination instead of meeting the ongoing training and evaluation requirements.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  96 0

Senate 45 0

House            (House refused to concur)

Conference Committee

Senate 41 0

House  94 0

Effective:  July 25, 1993