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	Press Releases June 22, 2005   COMMITTEE APPROVES SENATOR COLLINS’ BILL TO INCREASE SUPPORT FOR AMBULANCE, RESCUE & OTHER EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES Maine EMS Director, LifeFlight of Maine, American Ambulance Association, National Association of EMS Directors back Collins’ legislation   Washington, DC - The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee today approved legislation introduced by Chairman Susan Collins (R-ME) that will help increase and improve federal support for community-based emergency medical services (EMS) in Maine and across the country. The Emergency Medical Services Support 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. “The Federal government must become an effective partner to the dedicated men and women who provide EMS services across our nation,” said Senator Collins. “The Emergency Medical Services Support Act will enhance coordination among the federal agencies that work with state, local, tribal and regional emergency medical services and 911 systems. It will help to assure federal agencies coordinate their EMS-related activities and make the best use of established funding. This legislation will also ensure that experienced EMS providers at the state and local levels have input in regulatory discussions among federal agencies.” Currently, more than seven federal agencies are involved in various segments of the emergency medical services system, but their efforts are not effectively coordinated with state and local EMC and 911 systems. 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 emergency medical services system is one of the most important parts of our health care safety net,” 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.” Senator Collins’ legislation was approved today by the Committee by unanimous voice vote. The bill next moves to consideration by the full Senate. The Director of Maine Emergency Medical Services and the Executive Director of LifeFlight Maine have expressed support for Senator Collins’ bill. The EMS Support Act is also 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 June 2005 Press Releases May   |  July   --   2004   |  2006     June 29 - IN RESPONSE TO COLLINS-LIEBERMAN COMMITTEE INVESTIGATION, STATE DEPARTMENT AND TERRORIST SCREENING CENTER ANNOUNCE AGREEMENT TO SHARE TERRORIST INFORMATION   June 27 - SENATOR COLLINS COMMENDS DHS REPORT TO COORDINATE HOMELAND SECURITY EFFORTS WITH CANADA & MEXICO   June 24 - SENATOR COLLINS’ STATEMENT ON LINDA SPRINGER   June 23 - SENATOR COLLINS PRESSES FOR STRONGER TRADE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGAINST UNFAIR COMPETITION FROM FOREIGN MANUFACTURERS   June 22 - COMMITTEE APPROVES COLLINS - FEINGOLD BILL TO SAVE TAXPAYERS $300 MILLION ANNUALLY BY ELIMINATING WASTEFUL SPENDING IN PURCHASE CARD PROGRAM   June 22 current Press Release   June 22 - COMMITTEE APPROVES COLLINS-CARPER POSTAL REFORM LEGISLATION   June 21 - SENATORS COLLINS, LIEBERMAN INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY FOR FIRST RESPONDERS   June 21 - SENATOR COLLINS CHAIRS HEARING ON JUVENILE DIABETES   June 17 - SENATORS COLLINS AND LIEBERMAN ANNOUNCE RECEIPT OF THOUSANDS OF PAGES OF BRAC-RELATED DOCUMENTS, SECURE COMMITMENT FROM SECRETARY ENGLAND THAT ADDL REQUESTS WILL BE RESPONDED TO   June 16 - SENATOR COLLINS CALLS FOR CRACKDOWN ON GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS WHO CHEAT ON THEIR TAXES, POSE UNFAIR COMPEITITION   June 15 - SENATOR COLLINS CALLS FOR FEDERAL LEGISLATION TO STRENGTHEN SECURITY AT CHEMICAL FACILITIES   June 13 - DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE RESPONDS FURTHER TO SENATORS COLLINS, LIEBERMAN’S SUBPOENA, DELIVERS ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS TO THE HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE   June 12 - DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE RELEASES MORE BRAC-RELATED DOCUMENTS FOLLOWING SENATORS COLLINS, LIEBERMAN ISSUANCE OF SUBPOENA LAST WEEK   June 10 - SENATOR COLLINS STATEMENT ON NCTC DIRECTOR NOMINATION   June 10 - SENATOR COLLINS’ STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT’S NOMINATIONS FOR PRIVACY & CIVIL LIBERTIES OVERSIGHT BOARD   June 8 - SENATOR COLLINS JOINS EFFORT TO CRACK DOWN ON SAUDI SUPPORT FOR TERRORISM   June 7 - SENATORS COLLINS AND LIEBERMAN ISSUE SUBPOENA FOR BASE CLOSURE DOCUMENTS   June 2 - DoD RELEASED BRAC DATA INSUFFICIENT, ACCORDING TO SENATORS COLLINS AND LIEBERMAN
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Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 340 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510