Emergency Medical Services Sustainability Task Force (EMSSTF)

The Task Force is comprised of the following: Idaho EMS agencies, EMS educators, EMS Physicians Commission, Fire Departments, Association of Counties, Blue Cross of Idaho, Idaho Department of Health & Welfare, County Commissioners, Idaho Hospital Association, Idaho Office of Group Insurance, Idaho House of Representatives, Idaho Fire Chief's Association, Idaho Sheriff’s Association, Medicaid, Pacific Source, PERSI, Professional Fire Fighters of Idaho, EMS Directors, College of Western Idaho, and County Commissioners from neighboring states.

When the task force commenced in June 2022, three work groups were identified to work toward fulfilling our mission. The original work groups, Coverage, Governance, and Personnel made substantial progress throughout the remaining months in 2022. This progress required the task force to identify new focus areas and reorganize the work groups to ensure we are well prepared for the 2024 legislative session.

The work groups for the task force are as follows:

Communications: Develop a comprehensive communications list and create public outreach materials

Wages & Benefits: Determine compensation models, benefits for personnel, and establishing a thriving wage.

Billing & Revenue: Optimize the current billing system and aim for chart writing compliance.

Funding: Identify potential funding sources, grant model application process, payor reimbursement, regionalized purchasing power, and county requests for assistance.

Innovation: Utilizing healthcare models to expand roles to improve access to care and to avoid duplicating services such as CHEMS and telemedicine, while addressing quality improvement, education, and accountability.

As the legislation was drafted, there was a clear need for performance measures that would evaluate agencies and their eligibility for funds. The Performance Measures work group work was created in late 2023 for that purpose. 

EMSSTF Talking Points – informative document that provides description of the Emergency Medical Services Task Force (i.e. overview, mission, vision, background, work plan, and work groups).

Town Hall Reports – Town Hall meetings were conducted throughout Idaho to explore solutions to the challenges hindering the recruitment and retention of volunteer emergency medical services personnel. Reports contain a wealth of information from these meetings to inform changes in the future.

• Volunteer EMS Town Hall Meeting Report – December 2018
• Idaho EMS Town Hall 2021 Data Update

Office of Performance Evaluation (OPE) Report – Evaluation of improvements to EMS administration and examine policies to address challenges in recruitment and retention of EMS volunteers.

• Evaluation Report – November 2010
• Evaluation Report – November 2021

Essential Service

• 911 No Answer
• NAEMT Position Statement – Recognition of EMS as an Essential Public Function

Statutes, Rules, Laws

• Idaho Statutes Section 56-1011
• IDAPA 16 Rule Definitions
• Chapter 41 RCW Disposition
• DHV List - State of California Emergency Medical Services Law
• Colorado Regulations
• California EMS Law
• Omnibus Amendments
• Wyoming Code 35
• National Rural Health Association (NRHA) Policy Brief

Incentives/Funding Alternatives (i.e. health insurance programs, pensions, tax incentives

• Volunteer Emergency Medical Service Personnel Health Insurance Program Creation – Utah Code
• Volunteer Firefighter, EMT, and Search and Rescue Pension Plan – Wyoming
• Volunteer Firefighter Pension Fund – Colorado
• Oregon Volunteer EMS Tax Credit
• Volunteer Worker’s Credit
• U.S. Fire Administration Funding Alternatives for Emergency Medical and Fire Services
• Indiana Approach to Supporting Mobile Integrated Health Programs

Idaho’s Population

• County Population Urban vs. Rural

Additional Resources

• EMS Agenda 2050 – A people-centered vision for the future of Emergency Medical Services is the culmination of a collaborative and inclusive two-year effort to create a bold plan for the next several decades. The EMS Agenda 2050 lays out a vision for EMS systems that serve the needs of patients, families, clinicians, and communities.
• Emerging Digital Technologies in Emergency Medical Services: Considerations and Strategies to Strengthen the Continuum of Care – Aimed to provide a broad review, analysis, and identification of opportunities for the EMS community to address digital technology developments and offerings.
• National Rural Health Association (NRHA) Policy Brief – The ideal emergency medical services (EMS) system involves dispatching the right EMS provider from the right location to provide timely and, if necessary, life-saving interventions followed by transport to an appropriate hospital. The reality for many rural patients is vastly different. Although many factors contribute to challenges in delivering optimal rural EMS care, issues related to the workforce are some of the most pervasive. Understanding the nature, function, and role of rural EMS and the individuals who provide the care is necessary to drive legislative and regulatory priorities.

What is an essential service?

• A service or function that is required to maintain the health and safety of a community.

Is Emergency Medical Services (EMS) identified in Idaho statute as an Essential Service?

• No

What does EMS not being an essential service mean for Idahoans?

• You or someone you know could be in an accident or having a medical emergency. If pre-hospital care or medical transport is needed, there is no guarantee that EMS will be able to respond or arrive in time depending on where the accident occurred.

What does it mean if EMS is made essential?

• This would mean that EMS will be funded similarly to services like law enforcement.

What would this all change?

• Currently there are multiple issues facing long-term EMS sustainability. The system, as it stands, is fractured and its longevity is not foreseen. The system is relying on volunteers, that are leaving the profession. The number of new paramedics has remained relatively the same over the past few years even with the booming population. EMS agencies and providers also face a variety of inconsistent funding streams; lack of educational and training opportunities; population growth; change in demographics, and changes to rural and urban areas.

What is the EMS Sustainability Task Force (EMSSTF)?

• The EMSSTF is comprised of over 20 different agencies (EMS Personnel, legislators, county commissioners, insurance reps, and other stakeholders). Their mission is ensuring that this system works for the structure, function, and people it is intended for.

What is the EMSSTF trying to accomplish?

• Our mission is the longevity and sustainability of EMS in Idaho and to ensure prehospital patient care is available and timely to those who need it.

Where can I find more information?

• Please contact any of the following from the Bureau of EMS and Preparedness:
  • Wayne Denny - wayne.denny@dhw.idaho.gov
  • Jathan Nalls - jathan.nalls@dhw.idaho.gov
  • Marta Tanikuni - marta.tanikuni@dhw.idaho.gov

Background / Overview

EMS in Idaho is provided within a framework of organizations (EMS agencies) that vary in patient transport and clinical capabilities. Some EMS agencies use paid, career response personnel while others rely on volunteers. While there is considerable variation in the staffing patterns, one consistent attribute is rural communities tend to rely on volunteers to staff their EMS agencies. Demand for EMS is rapidly increasing across the state due to population growth, changing demographics, and increasing travel and tourism. The reliance on volunteer EMS personnel and the well documented challenges facing the recruitment and retention of volunteers puts rural communities at risk of much longer EMS response times due to the lack of EMS personnel.

There have been several efforts to better understand the challenges facing the organizations and personnel who provide EMS in Idaho. The Idaho Office of Performance Evaluation (OPE) published a study in 2010 on the governance of EMS agencies in Idaho. In 2012 and 2018, the Bureau of EMS & Preparedness published reports detailing the concerns and possible solutions specific to volunteer EMS personnel. In 2021, OPE published a report on volunteer EMS providers that provides several actionable recommendations.

Outreach Photos

To see moments captured from the Planner outreach work across Idaho, click here.

The Emergency Medical Services in Idaho Report is a yearlong effort from the EMS Planner team. The document is a county-focused resource assessment of the EMS systems throughout Idaho. 

Click Here for the Full Report