Washington State Regional EMS and Trauma Care Councils

Eight EMS and Trauma System Regions are made up of local and regional councils. This component of the trauma system represents local interests, and establishes the development of the trauma system as a grass roots effort. The regions are supported by grants from the state office and are charged with developing the regional plan, regional patient care procedures, prevention and public education programs to address regional injury problems, etc.

The regional plans are the cornerstone in the development of the state's trauma system. These in-depth implementation guidelines and goals are included as separate volumes to this document. They address issues pertaining to demographics, education and training, communication, quality assurance, prevention and public education, prehospital services, acute and rehabilitation facilities, and patient care procedures. In short, they address four fundamental questions:

In accordance with RCW 70.168, the Department of Health, Office of EMS and Trauma Prevention contracts with the eight Regional EMS and Trauma Care Councils in Washington state to provide funds for regional assessment, planning, and implementation of EMS and trauma system building activities. Contracting is done on an annual basis (each state fiscal year, July 1 through June 30).

The scope of work outlined in regional contracts is divided into two components: development and clinical/operational activities. Development activities encompass the review, development, and implementation of regional patient care procedures and mutual aid agreements, assessment of the regional EMS communications system, and participation in local and regional disaster planning. Regions are also expected to facilitate communication among facilities and DOH on issues regarding trauma designation.

The clinical/operational contract activities include the assessment and prioritization of regional injury prevention/public education (IPPE) needs and implementation of appropriate IPPE programs. Regions also coordinate and implement training for volunteer EMS personnel. Assessment of the region’s prehospital services and support for local EMS councils is also required under the contract.

Each regional council is comprised of volunteer members representing all areas of the EMS and trauma system: hospital, prehospital, local EMS councils and local government, law enforcement, communications, and the consumer. Council activities are coordinated and administered by regional administrators and/or office managers, trainers, and injury prevention specialists. The eight regions and their counties are:

Shirley Merkle, Chair Merrili Owens, Administrator Central Region EMS&TC Council P.O. Box 99470 Seattle, WA 98139-0470 Phone: (206) 216-4566 FAX: (206) 216-4530 E-Mail: merrili@comcast.net	Dave Burns, Chair Marianne Nicolaysen, Administrative Staff East Region EMS/TC Council 5521 N. Wall St Spokane, WA 99205 Phone: (509) 326-6499 FAX: (509) 326-6579 E-Mail: mnic@eastregion-ems.org
Tim McKern, Chair Anice Grant, Director Northwest Region EMS&TC Council PO Box 5179 Bremerton, WA 98312 Phone: (360) 479-5631 FAX: (360) 479-5772 E-Mail: admin@nwrems.org	Garth Eimers , Chair Bonnie Robinson, Executive Director North Region EMS&TC Council 325 Pine St. Suite. "D" Mt. Vernon, WA 98273 Phone: (360) 428-0404 FAX: (360) 336-9236 E-Mail: bonnie@northregionems.com
Tonya Vallance, Chair Darrel Kirking, Administrator North Central Region EMS&TC Council PO Box 2897 Wenatchee, WA 98801 Phone: (509) 664-4032 FAX: (509) 664-0112 E-Mail: dkirking@northcentralems.net	Terry Thrall, Chair Barbara Clarke, Administrator South Central Region EMS&TC Council 1776 Fowler St. Suite. 19 Richland, WA 98352 Phone: (509) 374-0416 FAX: (509) 374-8416 E-Mail: scregion@verizon.net
Lynn Wittwer, M.D., Chair Zita Wiltgen, Administrator Southwest Region EMS&TC Council 212 NE 83rd Street Vancouver, WA 98665 Phone: (360) 576-8197 Toll Free: (800) 464-1883 (in region) FAX: (360) 576-8485 E-Mail: swems@Comcast.net Web Page: www.swems.org	Cynde Rivers, Chair Anne Benoist, Program Manager West Region EMS & TC Council 2646 RW Johnson Blvd SW, Suite 112 Tumwater, WA 98512 Phone: 360-705-9019 Phone: 800-546-5416 FAX: 360-705-9676 E-Mail: info@wrems.com