Bradley County Emergency Medical Service had representation for the very first time at EMS on the Hill 2013 in Washington, D.C. this week.
Emergency Service representatives from Tennessee and 36 other states were there to meet with senators and representatives to discuss and promote legislation that will affect the EMS industry in a positive way.
Stan Clark, a paramedic and public information officer for Bradley County EMS was there and met with senators Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander on Tuesday.
“This was what is called “Tennessee Tuesday.” Different groups from Tennessee attended the session and Senators Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander addressed the crowd and then took the time to take photos with everyone,” he said.
The entire week was organized by the National Association of EMTs. There were three issues for which they were having EMS representatives lobby. One was trying to develop a program for military medics to help them transition to a civilian paramedic, so as not to have to attend the entire paramedic course. Another issue was to have the Congress approve a bill that will help in aiding EMS agencies financially through grants and other means. A request was put forth to ask the Tennessee representatives and senators to join the EMS caucus so they could be involved and up to date and most importantly support bills that support EMT’s and paramedics.
“Despite the weather, our senators and representatives and staffers still came to their offices and met with us. They were very receptive and appreciative of us being there. This was a very successful trip and we got a lot accomplished” said Mr. Clark.
The Southeastern Emergency Services Director’s Association sponsored Paramedic Clark and Whitney Miller, manager of Air Evac in McMinn County to attend EMS on the Hill to represent Region 3 of Tennessee. Others in attendance were from across the state from the Tennessee Ambulance Service Association.