Council’s Vision

Timely response with skillful, quality treatment for our patients.

Council’s Mission

Reduce death and disability by facilitating regional cooperation, assessment, planning, coordination andimplementation of an efficient and effective integrated emergency medical services delivery system.

Core Strategies and Key Initiatives

1. Strengthen Partnerships

• 1.1. Facilitate increased EMS involvement in injury and illness “risk reduction” strategies utilizing data available from EMS, fire, public health and other appropriate sources.
• 1.2. Identify emerging trends and best practices EMS patient care, and seek region-wide efficiencies, consistency, cost sharing and reduced duplication.
• 1.3. Promote standardization of EMS terms and nomenclature throughout the region.
• 1.4. Prepare and distribute an annual “state of regional EMS” report including performance improvement data summaries, agency and provider statistics, utilization data and so forth.
• 1.5. Maintain and strengthen partnerships with hospitals and the Eastern Virginia Healthcare Coalition(EVHC) to help ensure emergency preparedness of community health services.
• 1.6. Strengthen relationships with the Virginia Department of Health – Local Health Districts and other regional and state agencies.
• 1.7. Develop partnerships with universities, colleges, and accredited training programs to educate EMS providers and promote research initiatives to advance EMS delivery in the region.
• 1.8. Provide agency leaders and providers with information and resources on EMS mental health and emotional wellness.Core Strategy

2. Strengthen Infrastructure

2.1. Promote systems to ensure the standardization of data transmission and sharing that compliment efforts to improve clinical data collection and analysis with a goal to improve patient outcomes (see Strategic Initiative 4.1.).

2.2. Support opportunities for improved preparedness for and management of mass casualties.

2.3. Support improved communications and technology to engage system stakeholders and the public.

2.4. Improve EMS governance by encouraging attendance and participation by board members, operational medical directors and staff with relevant groups and organizations.

2.5. Maximize EMS funding by pursuing alternative funding sources including revenue recovery and increasing operational efficiencies.

2.6. Assist EMS agencies and providers and other stakeholders in responding to public health emergencies by providing information, emergency protocols, and best practices.Core Strategy

3. Strengthen Education and Training

3.1. Promote the concept of regionalized training opportunities, including simulation training and assessment of the need for a regional EMS training academy, that leverage the efforts of TCC,other training centers, individual agencies, EVMS and the council.

3.2. Support development as needed of additional accredited basic and advanced life support training sites.

3.3. Support education, legislation, and programs to promote appropriate use of EMS resources (both commercial and emergency agencies).

3.4. Promote health and safety initiatives for EMS providers. Core Strategy

4. Strengthen Medical Direction; Utilize Outcome Data, Research and Performance Improvement to Improve Patient Care

4.1. Collect and analyze patient and system data; develop and communicate appropriate performance improvement messages to providers and stakeholders.

4.2. Utilize data and nationally-recommended evidence-based EMS treatment guidelines to update protocols and medications in a timely manner.

4.3. Sponsor EMS research, out-of-region educational opportunities and mobile integrated healthcare initiatives that contribute to high quality, efficient EMS operations and improved patient outcomes.

4.4. Develop and publish regional EMS protocols (guidelines) in conjunction with and as approved by the region’s operational medical directors. Core Strategy

5. Strengthen Staffing and Human Resources

5.1. Assist agencies in the development, identification and utilization of available management and leadership training and mentoring opportunities.

5.2. Promote, support and/or facilitate EMS recruitment programs which encourages a diverse workforce and includes establishing a variety of community partnerships.

5.3. Promote opportunities for financial assistance for EMS education throughout the region.

Adopted, Board of Directors, 3-11-2021