Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
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	Press Releases March 11, 2005   SENATOR COLLINS INTRODUCES BILL TO INCREASE SUPPORT FOR AMBULANCE, RESCUE & OTHER EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES Maine EMS Director, LifeFlight of Maine, American Ambulance Association, National Association of Maine EMS Directors back Collins’ legislation   Washington, DC - Senator Susan Collins today introduced legislation to help increase and improve federal support for community-based emergency medical services (EMS) in Maine and across the country. The Emergency Medical Services Act would enhance coordination among the federal agencies involved with state, local, tribal, and regional emergency medical services and 9-1-1 systems. It would help federal agencies coordinate their EMS-related activities and make the best use of established funding to support local and state efforts. This legislation would also ensure that experienced EMS providers at the state and local levels have input in regulatory discussions among federal agencies. “We must ensure that Federal agencies coordinate their efforts to support the dedicated men and women who provide EMS services across our nation,” said Senator Collins. “A comprehensive, coordinated emergency medical services system is essential to assure prompt, quality care to help individuals when they need it, whether due to an automobile crash, a traumatic medical emergency, or a terrorist event. The emergency medical services system serves as one of the most important parts of our health care safety net.” New York University’s Center for Catastrophe Preparedness and Response today released an important report, titled “Findings from a National Roundtable to Improve Emergency Medical Service’s Homeland Security Preparedness,” that details concerns and recommendations from more than 50 representatives of national EMS organizations and federal agencies. The report underscores the need for Collins’ legislation. The report’s top recommendation is to improve EMS homeland security preparedness. The Center released a statement today saying, “Senator Collins deserves to be commended. Her proposed legislation is welcome news. It will go a long way towards ensuring the best possible emergency medical response in the event of a major terrorist attack and routine emergencies.” The report is available at: http://www.nyu.edu/ccpr/events/20050311-000124.html. Senator Collins’ legislation would establish a Federal Interagency Committee on Emergency Medical Services to improve coordination of all federal effort to strengthen EMS preparedness efforts. It would also establish an advisory committee consisting of EMS organizations and practitioners. The EMS Act is supported by: Advocates for EMS, American Ambulance Association, American Heart Association, Association of Air Medical Services, Emergency Nurses Association, National Association of Emergency Medical Services Educators, National Association of Emergency Medical Services Physicians, National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, National Association of State Emergency Medical Services Directors, and National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.   ###   Printable Version   « previous Press Release next Press Release »   1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 March 2005 Press Releases February   |  April   --   2004   |  2006     March 31 - SENATOR COLLINS’ STATEMENT ON WMD REPORT   March 31 - SENATOR COLLINS COMMENDS DHS FOR NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS GOALS   March 28 - SENATORS COLLINS & LIEBERMAN: DHS DEEPWATER REPORT INCOMPLETE   March 22 - DHS LAUNCHES SENATOR COLLINS’ PROGRAM TO ENSURE CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGY AND TRAINING FOR FIRST RESPONDERS IN SMALLER COMMUNITIES   March 22 - STUDY ON PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS IN RURAL AREAS REINFORCES SENATOR COLLINS’ STANCE ON NEED FOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE TO ALL STATES   March 18 - SENATORS COLLINS & CARPER INTRODUCE POSTAL REFORM LEGISLATION   March 17 - COLLINS, LIEBERMAN URGE ACCELERATION OF COAST GUARD DEEPWATER MODERNIZATION PROGRAM   March 17 - SENATE APPROVES COLLINS-LIEBERMAN AMENDMENT TO RESTORE $855 MILLION IN HOMELAND SECURITY FUNDING; 63-37 VOTE   March 14 - SENATOR COLLINS URGES BUDGET COMMITTEE TO INCLUDE FUNDS FOR POSTAL REFORM   March 11 current Press Release   March 9 - COMMITTEE APPROVES MICHAEL JACKSON TO BE DHS DEPUTY SECRETARY   March 9 - SENATOR COLLINS QUESTIONS DHS SECRETARY ON FUNDING FOR FIRST RESPONDERS   March 8 - SENATOR COLLINS URGES FUNDING FOR FIRST RESPONDERS   March 7 - SENATOR COLLINS CHAIRS CONFIRMATION HEARING FOR DHS DEPUTY SECRETARY NOMINEE   March 3 - SENATOR COLLINS ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $200,000 FOR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE & ASSETS IN MAINE   March 3 - SENATOR COLLINS REQUESTS EQUAL PAY RAISE FOR FEDERAL CIVILIAN AND MILITARY EMPLOYEES   March 3 - SENATORS COLLINS & LIEBERMAN STATEMENT ON INDICTMENTS FOR FEMA FRAUD   March 3 - Senator Collins Introduces National Women’s History Museum Bill   March 2 - Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Federal Whistleblower Protection Introduced In Senate   March 2 - Senator Collins Calls for Greater Protection of Federal Employee’s Private Information   March 1 - Senator Collins Announces Release of Nearly $17 Million for Homeland Security in Maine
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Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 340 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510