Letter to the Editor in regards to Ohio HB 509

From Karen Beavers – The Ohio Association of Medical Services (OAEMS) in regards to Ohio HB 509:

“Everyone needs to wake up and read this then take action. This bill had so many things “slid” in but what it will boil down to is YOUR health and safety. If not amended correctly, you will be losing a lot of your fire and EMS personnel and the townships, cities, villages won’t be able to afford to keep them certified. When you stop and think how many departments are volunteer and can’t afford to send their people to one of 92 accredited places they have selected, then there goes your safety. People need to get their local elected officials involved, make them wake up and be your voice, that’s what they were elected for. This technically goes into effect April 6 but it will still take 6-9 months to get the rules written to protect you. Use your voices now!! Or not, your choice but it’s your health and safety at risk!”

Link for above wording: www.facebook. com/groups/ Oaemsofficial/permalink/8822655077775598/?mibextid=nif5oz

Ohio HB 509

House Bill 509 was signed by the Governor on Jan. 5, 2023 and becomes effective on April 6, 2023. This legislation revises regulations pertaining to many professional licenses and certifications. Enclosed is a summary of the provisions that pertain to emergency medical services and firefighters.

• For the time being, EMS continuing education may still be offered through CE sites that currently possess a certificate of approval. However, the EMFTS Board is required to establish rulesthat conform to the following standards: Continuing education shall only be offered through an accredited institution;

All EMS accredited institutions must provide continuing education;

Certificates of approval to provide continuing education independent of an accredited institution must be phased out;

Establish standards for maintaining a certificate to teach continuing education courses.

• The rule revision process typically takes 6-12 months

The EMFTS Board may enter into reciprocal agreements with other states that have accreditation and continuing education programs that are substantially similar to those established under this chapter and the rules adopted under it.

The EMFTS Board may adopt or rescind rules that establish procedures and requirements for conducting criminal background checks for the issuance or renewal of certificates.

The Assistant EMS Instructor certification has been eliminated. Current certifications remain valid until they expire, and they will not be renewed on or after April 6, 2023.

CE requirements for paramedic recertification have been reduced from 86 hours to 75 hours for every 3-year certification cycle. (This goes into effect on April 6, 2023. All renewals until April 6, 2023 require the current 86 hours.)

CE requirements for firefighter certifications have been reduced from 54 hours to 36 hours. (This goes into effect on April 6, 2023. All renewals until April 6, 2023, require the current 54 hours.) Local entities may require more training, but the additional training is not required for certification renewal.

The Assistant Fire Instructor certification has been eliminated. Current certifications remain valid until they expire, and they will not be renewed on or after April 6, 2023.

The entire HB 509 document can be reviewed at https://search-prod.lis. state.oh.us/solarapi/v1/ institutions must provide general_assembly_134/ continuing education;” bills/hb509/en/05/ - “Certificates of approval hb509_05_en?format=pdf to provide continuing education

If you have any questions independent of an or comments regarding the accredited institution must bill, please contact the Ohio be phased out;”

Division of EMS at 1(800) - “The Assistant EMS 233-0785. Instructor certification has Link for above wording: been eliminated.” https://www.facebook.com/groups/ - “CE requirements for paramedic recertification Oaemsofficial/permalink/8822673821107057/?mibextid=nif5oz have been reduced from 86 hours to 75 hours for every 3-year certification cycle.”

Written by Antrim - “CE requirements for Training Academy firefighter certifications

In case you have not have been reduced from 54 heard yet, there are upcoming hours to 36 hours.” changes to the FIRE/EMS - “The Assistant Fire education world. These Instructor certification has changes will be a result of been eliminated.”

HB 509. These changes will go

On 12/9/2021 House Bill into effect when the bill goes (HB) 509 was introduced into effect (4/6/23). to the Ohio Legislature. On If your department maintains 3/23/22 it was passed in the an Approved EMS CE House. It was introduced to Program, it will be greatly the Senate on 3/28/22, and impacted. was subsequently passed If you are an Assistant by the Senate on 12/7/22. EMS or Fire Instructor, you It was then sent to the will be impacted.

Governor. The Governor If you wish to stay local signed it on 1/5/23. And for your continuing education, this bill will go into effect on you may be greatly 4/6/23. impacted depending on

So, what does this bill your geographic area and mean for fire/ems education? relative proximity to an accredited program.

According to a summary While we are unsure of all released by the Ohio of the details at this time, we Division of EMS, some of wanted to inform the EMS/ the changes will include: Fire community that changes

- “Continuing education are on the horizon. shall only be offered We do not wish to draw through an accredited institution;” any further conclusions without full knowledge of

- “All EMS accredited everything within the bill.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Ohio Division of EMS at 1(800) 233-0785.

If you wish to complain about how our rural departments will be significantly impacted... please send your complaints to your representatives.

The third website listed below will lead you to those who voted for or against this bill in the House and the Senate.

(Spoiler: There were 0 Nays from the Senate. And there was only one Nay from those within the House. That Nay was not from a local representative.)

The 202 page Bill can be found here: https:// search-prod.lis.state. oh.us/solarapi/v1/general_assembly_134/bills/ hb509/en/05/hb509_05_ En?format=pdf

The Ohio Division of EMS’S post can be found here: https://ems.ohio. gov/about-us/newsroom/ all-news/summary-of-ohiohouse-bill-509

Information about the Bill can be found here: https:// www.legislature.ohio.gov/ legislation/134/hb509

Link for above wording: https://m.facebook. com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02cerrywoqq3mvb4smfrg4qashnavwouwgpz6auu7p8i1xcmhbfr6x6dtralyhrzgxl&id=100085338750398&mibextid=nif5oz