Eleven members constitute the Board. Nine are appointed to four-year terms by the Governor. Two serve ex officio. The Governor names the chair (Code Education Article, sec. 13-505).
![[photo, John M. Murphy Building, 653 West Pratt St., Baltimore, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/25ind/images/1198-1-667.jpg)
The Council's twenty-nine members are appointed by the State Emergency Medical Services Board with the Governor's approval. Annually, Council members elect a chair with the Governor's approval (Code Education Article, sec. 13-511).
John M. Murphy Building, 653 West Pratt St., Baltimore, Maryland, February 2004. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
The Institute provides leadership and direction for emergency medical systems, conducts and supports educational programs, and operates and maintains a statewide communications system. It licenses and regulates commercial ambulance services, and designates trauma and specialty-care centers. In addition, the Institute assists the State Emergency Medical Services Board to review budgets of agencies receiving funds from its operations fund; develop and promulgate regulations and protocols; and license, certify, and discipline emergency medical services providers.
With the Governor's approval, the Executive Director is appointed by the State Emergency Medical Services Board (Code Education Article, secs. 13-501 through 13-515). The Institute reports to the State Emergency Medical Services Board.
The work of this agency is organized under two main divisions: Field Operations; and Programs and Government Affairs.
COMMUNICATIONS
EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESOURCE CENTER (EMRC)
Systems Communications provides helicopter dispatch and monitoring. In conjunction with the Department of State Police, it coordinates the transport of critically ill or injured patients by helicopter to area hospitals. It facilitates communication by Med-Evac paramedics with receiving hospitals.
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS & REGIONAL PROGRAMS
This division coordinates the disaster preparedness and emergency management responsibilities of the Institute. It works with other governmental units on homeland security, bioterrorism, public health, and emergency response planning. Through five regional offices, the Institute monitors the operations of the emergency management system in each area of the State and supports local responders to coordinate health and medical resources.
With the Maryland Emergency Management Agency, the Institute also labors to prepare the health and medical system response to possible terrorist use of weapons of mass destruction in Maryland. The response plan coordinates the activities of hospitals, public health agencies, law enforcement, emergency medical services, and fire and rescue in the event of such an attack.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Under Information Technology is Data Management.
LICENSING & COMPLIANCE
FIELD OPERATIONS
Reorganized in 2007, Field Operations is responsible for Communications; the Emergency Medical Resource Center (EMRC) and Systems Communications (SYSCOM); Emergency Operations; Information Technology; and Regional Programs.
Communications oversees the operation and expansion of the State's centralized emergency medical communications system. It provides equipment and support to understaffed and rural jurisdictions to speed responsiveness, improve treatment before reaching a hospital, and direct patients to facilities with treatment programs appropriate to the injury.
& SYSTEMS COMMUNICATIONS (SYSCOM)
The Emergency Medical Resource Center coordinates medical consultation between emergency personnel at the scene and hospital physicians. In case of multiple victims, the Center enables the prehospital provider to contact more than one receiving hospital at one time.
Emergency Operations and Regional Programs was established in 2004 as Emergency Operations. In 2007, it merged with Regional Programs.
Information Technology reorganized as Information Management in 2004, and resumed its original name in 2007.
PROGRAMS & GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
Programs and Government Affairs organized in 2007.
This office oversees five programs: Commercial Ambulance Licensing and Regulation; Emergency Medical Services for Children; Health Facilities and Special Programs; Licensure and Compliance; and Public Information and Media Services.
Licensing and Compliance organized in 2004 as Licensing and Medical Programs. It reformed under its present name in 2007.
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e-mail: mdmanual@mdarchives.state.md.us