EMS Task Force Recommendations
The publication of the final report and recommendations of the Task Force on EMS represented a pivotal period in the history of the Department’s delivery of EMS. Implementation of the task force recommendations has been an iterative process over the course of many years, with changes in approach occurring through various administrations. Thanks to the vision of the Task Force, the hard work of many people throughout the Fire and EMS Department, as well as many other community stakeholders, the overall quality of the Department’s EMS services has measurably improved since 2008. Final updates on recommendations incorporated on this page reflect progress as of September 2018, eleven years after publication of the Task Force’s final report. Moving forward, the Department will continue to implement the spirit and intent of the Task Force recommendations. For updated information, please go to: https://fems.dc.gov/page/ems-move
Recommendation 1: The Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services shall transition to a fully integrated, all hazards agency.
Recommendation 2: Reform Department structure to elevate and strengthen the EMS mission.
Recommendation 3: Improve the level of compassionate, professional, clinically competent patient care through enhanced training and education, performance evaluation, quality assurance, and employee qualifications and discipline.
Recommendation 4: Enhance responsiveness and crew readiness by revising deployment and staffing procedures.
Recommendation 5: Reduce misuse of EMS and delays in patient transfers.
Recommendation 6: Strengthen Department of Health (DOH) oversight of emergency medical services.