EMTS - A Brief History

1. NCRETACNortheast Colorado Regional Emergency Medical and Trauma Advisory Council RepresentingEmergency Medical and Trauma Services In Northeast Coloradowww.ncretac.org

2. EMTS - A Brief History • EMS Act of 1973 – Beginning of EMS in Colorado • EMS Funding bill of 1989 • SB 034 • Trauma System Formed in 1995 • SB 95-076 • ATAC’s • Integrated EMTS System passed in 2000 • Created SEMTAC and RETACs • SB 180 CRS 25-3.5-704

3. SEMTAC • State Emergency Medical & Trauma Advisory Council • Appointed by Governor to advise Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment on statewide EMTS issues • Provides a diverse representation from across the state • SEMTAC develops Rules and Regulations advisory to Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE)

4. RETACs • Are “Local Advisory Councils” • Formed by the Board of County Commissioners in each county • Bridge EMS system development with trauma systems development • RETACs coordinate and advise

6. Colorado’s 11 RETACs • RETAC Funding • Disbursement is governed by statute • All RETAC’s Receive $75,000 • (requirement is greater than 5 counties) • In addition all RETAC’s Receive funds based on geography, $15,000 per county in the RETAC. • All RETACs provide funding at the local, County, and Regional level for varied projects

7. Northeast Colorado RETAC • Largest RETAC in the State • 17,453 square miles • 9 County Consortium of EMTS providers • Jackson • Larimer • Logan • Morgan • Phillips • Sedgwick • Washington • Weld • Yuma

8. Northeast Colorado RETAC • HPREMSC, NE ATAC • Local meetings with BOCC • RETAC formation based on community meetings with providers and BOCC in the 9 County Region. • Based on patient flow patterns and pre-existing relationships that span decades

9. Patient flow Northeast RETAC

10. Statewide Patient Flow

11. Metro Patient Flow

12. RETAC – Roles/Responsibilities • Biennial Plan • Statutory Requirement, Template from State. • 15 Components of an EMTS system and is based on the State of Colorado’s EMTS strategic plan. • Developed by the council • Annual budget and accounting reports

13. Accomplishments of the NCRETAC • Cohesive group of providers with common goals • Needs assessment in 2002 • Recommendations • Education and training for providers • Provide a web presence to improve communication and share information • Mass Casualty planning and response • Coordinated processes to eliminate redundancy • Grants consolidation between entities • Trauma Center collaboration

14. NCRETAC Structure • 501c3 • BOCC appointed council • Bylaws • Coordinator (Executive Secretary)

15. RETAC Coordinators • Responsible for • Day-to-day operations of RETAC • Facilitate Meetings • Facilitate communication between EMS Agencies, Hospitals and the State EMTS Section • Provide Technical Assistance • Coordinate projects to provide meaningful results • Understand the local area they serve • Most have medical background • Coordinate with local EMS and Trauma System Stakeholders • Facilitate Local and Regional Planning processes that affect patient care everyday

16. RETAC Biennial Plan Goals for 2007 – 2009 • Education/Training • The Northeast Colorado Regional EMS/Trauma Advisory Council shall assist funding EMTS provider agencies and EMTS providers in obtaining Continuing Medical Education that can both develop professional and personal growth as it relates to the EMTS System and shall collaborate with local and regional efforts to enhance injury prevention activities. • Sub-Committee • Front Range Community College • Aims Community College • Thompson Valley EMS • Morgan Community College • Northeastern Junior College • High Plains Regional EMS Council Training Group • Projects • Funding for EMTS Courses • Funding for specialty courses • Annual Trauma Conference • Annual Advanced Life Support refresher training. • Funding for county injury prevention projects • Terrorism Awareness Courses

17. RETAC Biennial Plan Goals for 2007 – 2009 • Communications • The Northeast Colorado RETAC shall have as a continuing goal to develop and strengthen the lines of communication between Provider Agencies, Hospital Facilities, State of Colorado EMTS, State Emergency Medical/Trauma Advisory Council, Medical Direction, Boards of County Commissioners and other elected officials the NCRETAC board of directors. • Sub-Committee • Pam Monsees; Director Morgan Communications • Randy Lesher; Chief, Thompson Valley EMS • Donovan Ehrman; Trauma Outreach Director, Banner Health, (North Colorado Medical Center) • Objectives • The Northeast Colorado RETAC shall investigate strategies to improve communications and information dissemination between the Board of Directors and the RETAC paid staff. • The Northeast Colorado RETAC shall maintain the Web page information systems to continue to provide information to the EMTS providers and board members in the NCRETAC service area. • The Northeast Colorado RETAC shall develop strategies to improve communications between elected officials and the NCRETAC board.

18. RETAC Biennial Plan Goals for 2007 – 2009 • Mass Casualty • To enhance Mass Casualty planning and exercises throughout the Northeast Colorado RETAC and collaborate with the provider entities in providing liaison support to include but not limited to the Northeast All Hazards Steering Committee and the Plains To Peaks RETAC. • Sub-Committee • Christie Winckler; Trauma Nurse Coordinator, Melissa Memorial Hospital • Lori McDonald, Trauma Program Director, Poudre Valley Health Systems • Donovan Ehrman, Trauma Outreach Director, Banner Health • Connie Conour; Trauma Nurse Coordinator, Sterling Regional Medical Center • Jodi Kramer, Trauma Nurse Coordinator, Wray Community District Hospital • Dave Bressler; Director, Weld County Paramedics • Objectives • To support and disseminate information to the Northeast All Hazards Region and the Northeast OEM in regards to mass casualty planning. • Advise the steering committee of the NEAHR in applying for funds through the Homeland Security Grant to provide Mass Casualty exercises and training to standardize the Mass Casualty Response. • Advise and assist where needed Mass Casualty, Disaster Planning and exercises with the EMTS community. • Set aside funds as a contingency plan for a mass casualty training equipment trailer. • Provide a method for updating regional Mass Casualty Plan either through a 3rd party funded by All Hazards or the NCRETAC Coordinator in collaboration with the Plains to Peaks Coordinator. • Investigate the need for common MCI annexes in existing disaster plans for facilities. If there is a need and a desire to standardize MCI annexes then the subcommittee will develop standards that can be incorporated into the MCI annexes in the disaster plans for facilities.

19. RETAC Biennial Plan Goals for 2007 - 2009 • Needs Assessment • The Northeast Colorado RETAC shall have as a goal to participate in statewide needs assessment project for the RETAC’s. • Sub-Committee • Dave Bressler; Director, Weld County Paramedics • Donovan Ehrman; Trauma Outreach Director, Banner Health • Randy Lesher; Chief, Thompson Valley EMS • Objectives • NCRETAC Representation by Needs Assessment Subcommittee members or council and coordinator at state planning meetings for needs assessment development. • Submit letter of Commitment to the State Regarding Needs Assessment • Participate in Key Processes to develop statewide needs assessment

20. Thank You