In Washington State, regional emergency medical services (EMS) and trauma care councils are integral in supporting the state’s EMS and trauma care system. These councils, established under RCW 70.168, develop and implement regional plans that assess, analyze, and work to address the unique emergency medical and trauma care needs of their communities. Regional planning responsibilities include identifying the need for necessary personnel, facilities, and training; and advising the Department of Health on matters related to EMS and trauma care delivery within their regions.
Each council is composed of representatives of hospital and prehospital trauma care and emergency medical services providers, local elected officials, consumers, local law enforcement officials, and local government agencies involved in the delivery of emergency medical services and trauma care. Their collective expertise ensures that the needs of both urban and rural areas are considered in statewide planning; and due consideration is applied to recognizing and advising the Washington State Department of Health on EMS and trauma system improvements.
By working collaboratively, these councils promote a well-coordinated and responsive EMS and trauma care framework that is tailored to the specific needs of each region and strengthens the emergency care system across Washington State.
Regional EMS & Trauma Care Council Contacts and Plans
- Central Region EMS and Trauma Care Council
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King County
Regional Council Staff
Randi Riesenberg, executive director
P.O. Box 1442
Enumclaw, WA 98022
206-627-0493Council chair
Mark Taylor - Harborview Medical Center
Regional Plan 23-25 | Central Region EMS and Trauma Plan (PDF)
Regional Plan 25-27 | Central Region EMS Strategic Plan, 2025-2027 (PDF)
- East Region EMS and Trauma Care Council
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Adams, Asotin, Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Whitman Counties
Regional Council Staff
Rinita Cook, executive director
P.O. Box 4625, Wenatchee, WA 98807
509-860-2528Email | Website
Council chair
Tamara Drapeau
P.O. Box 4625
Wenatchee, WA 98807Regional Plan 23-25: East Region EMS and Trauma Plan (PDF)
Regional Plan 25-27: East Region EMS and Trauma Care Plan with Patient Care Procedures PCP) 2025-2027 (PDF)
- North Region EMS and Trauma Care Council
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Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Whatcom Counties
Regional Council Staff
Council Chair, executive director
P.O. Box 55
Anacortes, WA 98221
360-708-2454Council chair
Regional Plan 23-25: North Region EMS and Trauma Plan (PDF)
Regional Plan 25-27: North Region EMS Strategic Plan, 2025-2027 (PDF)
- North Central Region EMS and Trauma Care Council
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Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Okanogan Counties
Regional Council Staff
Rinita Cook, executive director
P.O. Box 4625
Wenatchee, WA 98807
509-860-2528Council chair
Regional Plan 23-25: North Central Region EMS and Trauma Plan (PDF)
Regional Plan 25-27: North Central Region EMS and Trauma Care Plan with Patient Care Procedures PCP) 2025-2027 (PDF)
- Northwest Region EMS and Trauma Care Council
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Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason Counties
Regional Council Staff
Randi Riesenberg, executive director
122 W. Franklin St.
Shelton, WA 98584
206-627-0493Council chair
Dr. Joe Hoffman, Medical Program Director of Mason and Kitsap Counties
Regional Plan 23-25: Northwest Region EMS and Trauma Plan (PDF)
Regional Plan 25-27: Northwest Region EMS and Trauma Care Plan with Patient Care Procedures PCP) 2025-2027 (PDF)
- South Central Region EMS and Trauma Care Council
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Benton, Columbia, Franklin, Kittitas, Walla Walla, Yakima Counties
Regional Council Staff
April Borbon, executive director
7202 N.E. Hwy. 99, Ste. 106-336
Vancouver, WA 98665
360-518-2028Council chair
David Lynde, American Medical Response
Regional Plan 23-25: South Central Region EMS and Trauma Plan (PDF)
Regional Plan 25-27: South Central Region EMS and Trauma Care Plan with Patient Care Procedures PCP) 2025-2027 (PDF)
- Southwest Region EMS and Trauma Care Council
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Clark, Cowlitz, Klickitat, Skamania, South Pacific, Wahkiakum Counties
Regional Council Staff
April Borbon, executive director
P.O. Box 65158
Vancouver, WA 98665
360-518-2028Council chair
Eric Koreis, Longview Fire Department
Regional Plan 23-25: Southwest Region EMS and Trauma Plan (PDF)
Regional Plan 25-27: Southwest Region EMS and Trauma Care Plan with Patient Care Procedures PCP) 2025-2027 (PDF)
- West Region EMS and Trauma Care Council
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Grays Harbor, Lewis, North Pacific, Pierce, Thurston Counties
Regional Council Staff
Greg Perry, executive director
5911 Black Lake Blvd. S.W.
Olympia, WA 98512
360-750-9019Council chair
Tom Lamanna
Regional Plan 23-25: West Region EMS and Trauma Plan (PDF)
Regional Plan 25-27: West Region EMS and Trauma Care Plan with Patient Care Procedures PCP) 2025-2027 (PDF)
Regional EMS and Trauma Care Council - Membership
In Washington State, regional emergency medical services (EMS) and trauma care council members play a pivotal role in shaping and overseeing the emergency medical services and trauma care infrastructure within their respective regions. Appointed by the Washington State Department of Health, these members reflect the diversity across geography, demographics, emergency care facility types, health profession types – all with the intent of representing the populations they serve. A leading responsibility of the regional councils is the development and implementation of comprehensive regional EMS and trauma care plans. These plans address critical aspects of the availability and efficient delivery of emergency medical and trauma care services in each region.
Regional councils collaborate with local EMS and trauma care councils to assess regional needs, recommend the distribution and levels of care for verified aid and ambulance services, and identify necessary facilities and resources to ensure optimal patient outcomes. Additionally, they play a key role in establishing regional patient care procedures, identifying training and education programs to meet regional and local needs, and advising on quality improvement initiatives. Through these efforts, regional council members ensure that EMS and trauma care services are well-coordinated and tailored to meet the specific demands of their regions.
Requirements to be a regional council member include:
- Residency or employment in the region they are applying for
- Authority and autonomy to represent the interests of the organization identified in their application
- Complete an onboarding process which includes a review of the regional council handbook, demonstrate an understanding of the responsibilities of a regional council member, and complete a short online training course on the Open Public Meetings Act.
Regional Membership Application and Process
To become a member, complete an application and send it to the regional EMS and trauma care council executive director in your region.
Regional council executive directors will provide information on open council positions, assist with the application process, answer questions, and provide guidance on the required recommendations.
Regional council contact information is available on this web page.
Regional Council Membership Application (PDF)
Local EMS and Trauma Care Councils
In Washington State, local emergency medical services and trauma care councils contribute to the development and oversight of emergency medical systems within their communities as defined by RCW 70.168.120 and WAC 246-976-970. Established by counties or groups of counties, these councils comprise a balanced representation of hospital and EMS providers, local elected officials, consumers, law enforcement, government agencies, physicians, and prevention specialists involved in EMS and trauma care delivery.
The responsibilities of local councils are multifaceted. They collaborate with county medical program directors to develop county operating procedures, participate in regional council activities, and provide input on regional patient care procedures. They review EMS training program applications, assess and support EMS training within the county, and identify local prehospital training needs for regional planning. Local councils also evaluate applications for EMS service verification, considering factors such as compliance with department-approved standards, impact on regional care, and service to underserved areas.
Through these efforts, local councils ensure that emergency medical and trauma care services are effectively coordinated, responsive to community needs, and aligned with regional and state standards.
Local EMS & Trauma Care Council membership is managed by the local EMS & Trauma Care Council. Contact your local EMS & Trauma Care Council if you are interested in membership.
- Local Council Contacts
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Mid Columbia EMS & Trauma Council
Clark County EMS & Trauma Care Council
Mid Columbia County EMS & Trauma Care Council
Cowlitz County EMS & Trauma Care Council
Mid Columbia County EMS & Trauma Care Council
Grays Harbor EMS & Trauma Care Council
Island County Emergency Medical Services Council
Central Region EMS & Trauma Care Council
Kitsap County EMS Trauma Care Council
Klickitat County EMS & Trauma Care Council
Mason County EMS & Trauma Council
Okanogan / North Douglas County EMS Council
West Region EMS and Trauma Care Council
South Pacific County EMS & Trauma Care Council
Pend Oreille County EMS Council
Skagit County Emergency Medical Services
Skamania County EMS & Trauma Care Council
Snohomish County Emergency Medical Services Agency
Spokane County EMS & Trauma Care Council
Stevens County EMS/Trauma Care Council
Wahkiakum County EMS & Trauma Care Council
Regional Technical Advisory Committee (RAC)
The RAC is an advisory committee to the Washington State EMS and Trauma Steering Committee. It is led by the department to support the work of the regional EMS and trauma care councils. The RAC advises the department on matters relating to the delivery of emergency medical services and trauma care within the regionalized components of our emergency care system. The RAC convenes regularly throughout the year and submits an annual report to the steering committee on their activities.
Chair: Carly Bean
Vice chair: Rinita Cook
Tools and Resources
- EMS and Trauma Regulatory Statutes
- Emergency Medical Services GIS Map
- Regional EMS and Trauma Care Council Resource HandbooK (PDF)
- Open Public Meeting Act (OPMA) Training
Contact information
For more information contact: RegionEMS@doh.wa.gov