SD3 - Emergency Medical Services Personnel Training and Certification and Recruitment and Retention

  • Published: 1990
  • Author: Joint Subcommittee
  • Enabling Authority: Senate Joint Resolution 209 (Regular Session, 1989)

Executive Summary:
In response to growing concerns over the adequacy of the supply of skilled emergency medical services volunteers, two resolutions were introduced during the 1988 Session of the General Assembly. Senate Joint Resolution 86, patroned by Senator Clarence A. Holland, and House Joint Resolution 134, patroned by Delegate Joseph P. Crouch, recognized the need for a Joint Subcommittee to address issues related to recruitment, retention, training and certification of emergency medical services volunteer personnel in the Commonwealth.

Senate Joint Resolution 86 called for a study of "...alternative methods for training and the certification requirements for emergency medical services personnel." House Joint Resolution 134 called for a study of "...the recruitment and retention of emergency medical services personnel." both resolutions required the determination of the extent of the training needs for emergency medical services personnel including dispatchers, the identification of appropriate training alternatives, e.g., the use of communications technology such as interactive television, teleconferencing and computer instruction. Both studies also required the evaluation of the funding of any training alternatives identified as appropriate.

In addition to these parallel charges, SJR 86 required an evaluation of the appropriateness of the certification requirements and HJR 134 required the identification of ways to enhance and improve the recruitment and retention of emergency medical services personnel. HJR 134 and SJR 86 were approved; thereby establishing two Joint Subcommittees. Because of the overlapping issues, these studies were combined into one study upon agreement of the patrons of the resolutions; therefore, all issues set forth in HJR 134 and SJR 86 were within the scope of this study.

The Joint Subcommittee consisted of four members of the Senate, Virgil H. Goode, Jr. of Rocky Mount, Elmon T. Gray of Waverly, Clarence A. Holland of Virginia Beach and William C. Wampler, Jr. of Bristol; four members of the House of Delegates, Joseph P. Crouch of Lynchburg, Franklin P. Hall of Richmond, Mary A. Marshall of Arlington and W. Henry Maxwell of Newport News; and two citizen members, Mr. Coan G. Agee of Keysville and Dr. L. Delano Britt of Norfolk. Senator Holland served as chairman and Delegate Crouch served as vice-chairman.