A Guide for Enhancing Rural Emergency Medical Services (2005)

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IV-1 SECTION IV Index of Strategies by Implementation Timeframe and Relative Cost Exhibit IV-1 classifies strategies according to the expected timeframe and relative cost for this emphasis area. In several cases, the implementation time will depend on such factors as an agency’s willingness to accept a change in policy, legislative needs, or existing communication infrastructure and/or architecture. The range of costs may also vary for some of these strategies because of many of the same factors listed previously. Placement in the exhibit is meant to reflect the most common expected application of the strategy. EXHIBIT IV-1 Classification of Strategies According to Expected Timeframe and Relative Cost Relative Cost to Implement and Operate Timeframe for Moderate Implementation Strategy Low Moderate to High High Short (<1 year) 20.1 A5—Integrate EMS systems into the Safe ✔ Communities effort 20.1 A6—Use mobile data technologies that ✔ are interoperable with hospital systems 20.1 B1—Develop resource and performance ✔ standards unique to the specific rural EMS 20.1 B4—Provide evaluation results to elected ✔ and administrative officials at the county and local levels 20.1 C1 Utilize technology-based instruction ✔ for rural EMS training 20.1 C2—Establish an exchange program to ✔ allow rural EMS providers to spend a specified number of hours in urban/suburban systems 20.1 C4—Require first care training for all ✔ public safety emergency response personnel, including law enforcement officers 20.1 C5—Educate rural residents about the ✔ availability, capability, and limitations of existing systems Medium 20.1 A1—Establish programs with ✔ (1–2 years) organizations to utilize nontraditional employees as EMS responders 20.1 A2—Facilitate development of regional ✔ resources and/or cooperatives

EXHIBIT IV-1 (Continued) Classification of Strategies According to Expected Timeframe and Relative Cost Relative Cost to Implement and Operate Timeframe for Moderate Implementation Strategy Low Moderate to High High 20.1 A3—Integrate support of EMS into rural ✔ hospital financing programs 20.1 A4—Integrate information systems and ✔ highway safety activities 20.1 B2—Identify, provide, and mandate ✔ efficient and effective methods for collection of necessary EMS data 20.1 B3—Identify and evaluate model rural ✔ EMS operations 20.1 C3—Include principles of traffic safety ✔ and injury prevention as part of EMS continuing education 20.1 C6—Provide “bystander care” training ✔ programs targeting new drivers, rural residents, truck drivers, Interstate commercial bus drivers, and motorcyclists 20.1 C7—Provide EMS training programs in ✔ high schools in rural areas 20.1 D3—Utilize GPS technology to improve ✔ response time 20.1 D4—Integrate automatic vehicle location ✔ (AVL) and computer-aided navigation (CAN) technologies into all computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems 20.1 D5—Equip EMS vehicles with multi- ✔ service and/or satellite-capable telephones Long (>2 years) 20.1 A7—Require all communication systems ✔ to be interoperable with surrounding and state jurisdictions 20.1 D1—Improve cellular telephone coverage ✔ in rural areas 20.1 D2—Improve compliance of rural 9-1-1 ✔ centers with FCC wireless “Phase II” automatic location capability SECTION IV—INDEX OF STRATEGIES BY IMPLEMENTATION TIMEFRAME AND RELATIVE COST IV-2