NORTH COAST EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES                              Policy # 2006

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES                                                                  

Subject:            Miscellaneous
                        Public Comment Solicitation

Associated Policies:

I.        Authority and Reference (incorporated herein by references)

1. Division 2.5 of the Health and Safety Code.
2. California Code of Regulations, Title 22.
3. North Coast Emergency Medical Services Policies and Procedures.

II.     Purpose

To establish a process for soliciting public comments on North Coast EMS policies, procedures and protocols.

III.   Policy

A.     Whenever public comment is solicited on a North Coast EMS policy or protocol, a 45 day minimum response period will be given.  Exceptions to this policy must be approved by the Director for cause.

2. Policy drafts will be sent initially to the following for 20 days, at minimum:

All Informational Mailing recipients, including

1.      Joint Powers Governing Board Members

2.      County Health Officers

3.      Lake County Administrative Officer

4.      Prehospital Care Nurse Coordinators

5.      Prehospital Care Medical Directors

6.      Fire Chiefs’ Associations

7.      EMS Liaisons

8.      Emergency Medical Care Committee Chairpersons

3. Specialized policies will also go to appropriate individuals (e.g., CE policies to CE providers, BLS policies to Fire Chiefs, special protocols to physician specialists, etc.)
4. If substantive comments are received, the policy will be revised within 10 days and returned in draft form to the individuals listed in III.B. for a 15 day comment period.
5. At the end of the comment period(s), policies will be implemented by the EMS Director and EMS Medical Director (as to form) and protocols will be implemented by the EMS Medical Director and EMS Director (as to form).
6. New policies and protocols will be distributed to all Informational Mailing recipients (listed in III.B.) for inclusion in the medical control manual.