HB 727 (Hope) / SB 720 (McClellan) mandate that all 911 Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) provide training and equipment to every dispatcher in Telecommunicator Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Instruction (TCPR) as well as Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) by January 1, 2022, and January 1, 2024, respectively. As previously reported, although not opposed to the intent of the legislation, VACo staff testified to concerns over the potential fiscal impact of the legislation.
According to the Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS), 96 Cities and Counties currently provide TCPR at their PSAPs. Similarly, 34 PSAPs have yet to implement EMD, though two of these localities recently received RSAF funding to help implement EMD. This legislation would require the remaining localities to implement new programs and training at their PSAPs by the required dates. This would require additional local funding even if grants were awarded from the state through the Rescue Squad Assistance Fund (RSAF).
Furthermore, VACo staff expressed concern to the patrons that defining language in the bills as originally drafted for EMD certification and education programs bills consistent with the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) would inadvertently impact an additional 40 localities who currently provide EMD services, but do so through different programs from IAED, but that are still acceptable to current OEMS standards. VACo thanks the patrons and OEMS for their willingness to engage on and correct this issue with substitute language.
HB 727 passed the House 82-17 and was reported and referred to the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee by the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee, 15-0. SB 720 passed the Senate unanimously and reported from the House Labor and Commerce Committee, 16-5.
VACo Contact: Jeremy R. Bennett