HB2482

House of Representatives

EMTs; first responders; definition

Sponsors: Representatives Gerard: Carpenter, Foster, Verkamp

dpa	Committee on Health
dpa	Caucus and COW
x	As Passed the House

House Bill 2482 includes additional requirements to become an emergency medical services first responder.

History

Prior to this proposed legislation, the US Department of Transportation held the responsibility of training and certifying first responders, but there were no specific examination criteria. This bill sets specific standards that must be used in testing an applicant for first responder certification.

Provisions

· Adds to the requirements of a first responder to successfully complete the:

· USDOT first responder national standard curriculum.

· National registry first responder examination, and provide proof to the person’s employer.

· USDOT first responder refresher national standard curriculum at least once every two years.

· Deletes the term ambulance attendant in several areas.

· Specifies that in an area with a population of more than 10,000 people, an ambulance must have at least one EMT and one ambulance attendant as defined in statute, excluding the first responder.

· Places the responsibilities of testing and certification of first responder instructors with DHS as opposed to the state fire marshal’s office.

· Defines qualified first responder instructor.

House Bill 2482 was amended in the Health Committee as follows:

· Defines qualified first responder instructor.

· Strikes the definition of ambulance attendant.

· Requires that a first responder take the required courses and tests under the supervision of a qualified first responder instructor.

· Specifies that in an area with a population of fewer than 10,000 persons an ambulance must have at least one EMT and one first responder. In an area with more than 10,000 people, an ambulance must have at least two EMTs.

House Bill 2482 was also amended in Committee of the Whole as follows:

· Places the responsibilities of testing and certification of first responder instructors with DHS as opposed to the state fire marshal’s office.

· Reinserts the definition of ambulance attendant.

· Changes ambulance attendant requirements for those ambulances operating in an urban area, and deletes changes made in the Health Amendment to rural areas, returning language to current statute.

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44th Legislature Analyst Initials _______