ARC 2304C
PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT[641]
Notice of Intended Action
Twenty-five interested persons, a governmental subdivision, an agency or association of 25 or more persons may demand an oral presentation hereon as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.4(1)“b.”
Notice is also given to the public that the Administrative Rules Review Committee may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this proposed action under section 17A.8(6) at a regular or special meeting where the public or interested persons may be heard.
Pursuant to the authority of Iowa Code section 147A.4, the Department of Public Health hereby gives Notice of Intended Action to amend Chapter 132, “Emergency Medical Services—Service Program Authorization,” Iowa Administrative Code.
The proposed amendments correct an oversight from previous rule makings and clarify that all authorized EMS services are required to have a driving policy and documented training for all responding members. The current rules address policy and training for ambulance service members only. These amendments will reduce confusion for all EMS service types and ensure that all EMS personnel have received basic training on appropriate emergency driving skills.
Any interested person may make written comments or suggestions on the proposed amendments on or before December 29, 2015. Such written comments should be directed to Rebecca Curtis, Bureau Chief of Emergency and Trauma Services, Department of Public Health, 321 East 12th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50319. E-mail may be sent to Rebecca.Curtiss@idph.iowa.gov.
After analysis and review of this rule making, no impact on jobs has been found.
These amendments are intended to implement Iowa Code sections 147A.4(1)“a” and 147A.4(2).
The following amendments are proposed.
	Item 1. Amend paragraph 132.8(1)“c” as follows:
	c. 	Provide as a minimum, on each ambulance call, the following staff:
	(1)	One currently certified EMT-B or EMT.
	(2)	One currently licensed driver. The service shall document each driver’s training in CPR (AED training not required). , in emergency driving techniques and in the use of the service’s communications equipment. Training in emergency driving techniques shall include:
	1.	A review of Iowa laws regarding emergency vehicle operations.
	2.	A review of the service program’s driving policy for first response vehicles, ambulances, rescue vehicles or personal vehicles of an emergency medical care provider responding as a member of the service. The policy shall include, at a minimum:
	●	Frequency and content of driver’s training requirements.
	●	Criteria for response with lights or sirens or both.
	●	Speed limits when responding with lights or sirens or both.
	●	Procedure of approaching intersections with lights or sirens or both.
	●	Notification process in the event of a motor vehicle collision involving a first response vehicle, ambulance, rescue vehicle or personal vehicle of an emergency medical care provider responding as a member of the service.
	3.	Behind-the-wheel driving of the service’s first response vehicles, ambulances and rescue vehicles.
	Item 2. Adopt the following new paragraph 132.8(3)“s”:
	s. 	Ensure that any member of the service driving a service’s first response vehicle, ambulance, or rescue vehicle or a personal vehicle when responding as a member of the service has documented training in emergency driving techniques and in the use of the service’s communications equipment. Training in emergency driving techniques shall include:
	(1)	A review of Iowa laws regarding emergency vehicle operations.
	(2)	A review of the service program’s driving policy for first response vehicles, ambulances, rescue vehicles or personal vehicles when used by a service member responding as a member of the service. The policy shall include, at a minimum:
	1.	Frequency and content of driver’s training requirements.
	2.	Criteria for response with lights or sirens or both.
	3.	Speed limits when responding with lights or sirens or both.
	4.	Procedure for approaching intersections with lights or sirens or both.
	5.	Notification process in the event of a motor vehicle collision involving a first response vehicle, ambulance, rescue vehicle or personal vehicle when used by a service member responding as a member of the service.
	(3)	Behind-the-wheel driving of the service’s first response vehicles, ambulances and rescue vehicles.