Bryan submitted bills to create Virgin Islands EMS system and merge fire, ambulance services

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. submitted two bills on Oct. 25, 2019, aimed at restructuring emergency medical services in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

One measure, the Virgin Islands Emergency Medical Services System Act, would create an emergency medical services system in territorial law and give the Department of Health authority to regulate out-of-hospital emergency medical services providers. According to the administration, the bill would authorize the department to establish a board to regulate ambulance services and emergency medical care, set educational requirements and permitted practices, license individuals and organizations providing the services, and develop standards for care.

A second measure, the Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Medical Services Act, would merge the Virgin Islands Fire Service with the Department of Health's Emergency Medical Services division.

The administration said more than 50 firefighters took an Emergency Responder Course between September and October 2019 in preparation for the proposed merger.

The governor's office said a task force led by policy adviser for justice and public safety Marise James had worked on the effort for several months. The task force included representatives from the Department of Health, Fire Service, Office of the Governor, Division of Personnel and Office of Collective Bargaining.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-introduces-legislation-creating-v-i-s-first-emergency-medical-services-system/