TN Bill Reclassifies EMS As Essential, Opening Doors For Funds
ROBERTSON COUNTY TENNESSEE: (Smokey Barn News) – Today ambulances are portable hospitals with a team of highly skilled people on board trained to do one thing, save lives. They do it every day in Robertson County. It’s called Emergency Medical Service, or E.M.S.
The services they perform often mean the difference between life and death. Without a doubt, they are an essential part of the arsenal of Firefighters, EMA personal, and Police. It’s the group we call -first responders. Now the state of Tennessee agrees, officially recognizing EMS as an “essential service.” It’s a classification that will free up funding for EMS state-wide.
Robertson County EMS: “It’s official, EMS is now an essential service in the State of Tennessee! I bet that many of you reading this think of EMS as being essential. But, unlike fire and police services, EMS has not been officially recognized as essential. Tennessee becomes only the 12th state in the US to make this recognition. This should open up multiple funding sources, especially on the federal level, that can help communities that struggle to provide emergency medical services to their community.” Robertson County Emergency Medical Services
“Being recognized as an essential service is a huge step forward for EMS in Tennessee,” said Robertson County EMS Assistant Director Joshua Rice. “The passing of this bill is the culmination of several years of hard work by many of the EMS leaders in Tennessee. Robertson County is fortunate to have an EMS system that is capable of providing a high level of medical care to our citizens.
“Some rural communities struggle to have 1 ambulance on duty and may even rely on volunteer staff to provide emergency care in the community. This bill will give ambulance services the essential status that we deserve and open up access to critical federal funding. It also mandates that counties provide EMS services to the citizens of their county. It’s no longer optional. One of the things that the pandemic proved is how important EMS is. EMS played an essential role during the pandemic and continues to play an essential role in the healthcare of our community. Being recognized as an essential service is well deserved and long overdue.”
Tennessee Ambulance Service Association posted…
HB0719/SB1597 has passed unanimously in the State legislature. This bill recognizes EMS as an Essential Service in the State of TN. Thank you to the bill sponsors (Keisling/Bailey), the County Mayor’s Association, the County Services Association, our Lobbyist (Caroline Simmons), TASA Board & Legislative Committee…..and all the EMS professionals across the State of TN who worked so hard to get this bill passed. STRONG WORK BY ALL!!!
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