Office of Emergency Medical Services and Preparedness

The EMS Committee is required by statute and assists the department in the adoption of administrative rules. Committee members also establish certification and designation requirements, promote the development of a statewide emergency medical services system, and provide guidelines for patient data. They also work to establish criteria for the grants program, determine the requirements for the coordination of emergency medical services, and outline the medical supervision of emergency medical service providers.

Committee members are appointed by the Governor, consisting of 16 representatives who are surgeons, physicians, nurses, private ambulance providers, fire chiefs, EMS directors, hospital administrators, paramedics, EMTs, and law enforcement.

The Legislature established the EMS Grants Program for the purpose of improving the statewide delivery of emergency medical services. This program is administered by the Office of Emergency Medical Services and Preparedness, Division of Family Health and Preparedness, Utah Department of Health and Human Services, through rules established by the EMS Committee.

The Emergency Medical Services Operations Subcommittee is an advisory committee to the state Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Committee and to the Office of Emergency Medical Services and Preparedness. Members of the committee represent both rural and urban perspectives that address EMS policies, equipment and supply standards, vehicle standards, EMS regulations and protocol guidelines.

The Emergency Medical Services Professional Development Subcommittee serves as an advisory committee to the state Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Committee and to the Office of Emergency Medical Services and Preparedness. Members of the committee represent both rural and urban perspectives that address EMS professional licensing, reciprocity, renewal standards and the educational requirements for licensing and certification.

The Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and Preparedness, by state statute, has established a voluntary task force representing rural and urban providers, as well as a diverse group of Emergency Medical Service providers to advise the department and the EMS Committee on Utah Administrative Rules.

The EMSC Advisory Committee is a multi-disciplinary committee that provides advice to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Office of EMS and Preparedness regarding emergency medical care for children. The committee represents both rural and urban perspectives and addresses national grant performance measures, needs specific to Utah, public information and education, healthcare training for prehospital and hospital health care providers, equipment needs, regulations, protocols, guidelines, emergency preparedness and injury prevention.

The Trauma System Advisory Committee is a multi-disciplinary statutory committee that provides advice to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Office of EMS and Preparedness regarding the establishment of a statewide inclusive trauma system. The committee advises the Department on trauma system needs; assists the department in evaluating the quality and outcomes of the overall trauma system; reviews and comments on proposals and rules governing the system; and makes recommendations for the development of statewide triage, treatment, transportation and transfer guidelines.

The purpose of the Utah Public Health Preparedness Senior Advisory Committee is to integrate Utah’s preparedness efforts across jurisdictions. The committee’s role is threefold: 1) to complement and better coordinate with other public health and preparedness programs as applicable, 2) to leverage funding streams, and 3) to obtain and ensure public comment and input on public health emergency preparedness and response plans and their implementation from other state, local, and tribal stakeholders.

Membership is comprised of senior officials from governmental and nongovernmental organizations involved in homeland security, healthcare, public health, and behavioral health.