IAFP Calls for Creation of EMS Administration

SNELLVILLE, Georgia, USA -May 20, 2005-The International Association of Flight Paramedics (IAFP) has announced its support for the development of a U.S. Emergency Medical Services Administration (USEMSA). The Association's Board of Directors approved a position statement today outlining a dramatic need for the establishment of such an agency. Entitled Emergency Medical Services in the 21st Century: Strengthening Our Presence in the Federal Government, the position statement agreed with a recent George Washington University information brief stating the USEMSA should be modeled after, and be at an equivalent level to, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Several other organizations believe existing federal offices should remain as is, and a Federal Interagency Committee on EMS (FICEMS) is the best solution to coordinate their efforts. In its position statement, the IAFP believed that FICEMS is the wrong direction for the EMS community to take.
The statement articulated several reasons for the creation of USEMSA and expresses the IAFP's desire to actively participate in the advancement of EMS in the federal government.

Ron Walter, IAFP President, said, "We have waited a long time for EMS, which includes our members in air medical services, to have a strong, cohesive voice in the federal government. We appreciate the efforts of other organizations like Advocates for EMS, but the IAFP believes the creation of a U.S. Emergency Medical Services Administration will best advance our essential role as public safety and health care providers. We encourage our fellow EMS professionals, especially those in air and ground critical care, to join us in this exciting initiative."

The International Association of Flight Paramedics (IAFP) represents over 1,000 experienced paramedics who function in the high performance environment of air medical transport and critical care ground transport.

The position statement can be found at
http://www.flightparamedic.org/IAFP_EMS_in_the_21st_Century.PDF

Press Contacts:
IAFP
http://www.flightparamedic.org/
4835 Riveredge Cove
Snellville, GA 30039 770-979-6372
Ron Walter
President
rwalter@statmedevac.com

James P. Burke
Secretary-Treasurer 2000-2004
jpburkejr@aol.com
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The release is also downloadable from the web site:

http://www.flightparamedic.org/IAFP_Press_Release_050520.pdf

The position statement link is:

http://www.flightparamedic.org/IAFP_EMS_in_the_21st_Century.PDF

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