EMS system sustainability task force

The next EMS system sustainability task force meeting is Thursday, April 13, 2023, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the CDPHE main campus. Register below to attend the meeting virtually via Zoom Webinar. Meeting agendas and other materials can be found in the meeting documents link below.

Workgroups

The task force will host workgroups focusing on EMS funding and human resources. Workgroups will meet via Zoom from 10 a.m. to noon on the dates listed below. Click the link below to join the meeting.

Funding workgroup dates

  • Mar. 13, 2023
  • Mar. 20, 2023
  • Mar. 27, 2023

Attend meeting

Human resources workgroup dates

  • TBD

Attend meeting

Task force membership

Requirements and appointing authority are defined in Senate Bill 22-225. The following individuals have been appointed to the task force.

Name Role
Senator Mark Baisley Chair
Representative Ryan Armagost Vice Chair
Cherilyn Wittler EMS & Ambulance Service Agency (1 of 4)
Gina Carr EMS & Ambulance Service Agency (1 of 4)
Christopher Williams EMS & Ambulance Service Agency (1 of 4)
Scott Van Slyke EMS & Ambulance Service Agency (1 of 4)
Jeremy DeWall Board Certified EMS Physician
James Robinson EMS Provider
Lisa Ward EMS Provider
Annie Dorchak Community Integrated Health-Care Service Agency
Sean Caffrey Group Representing EMS Providers
Tim Dienst Chair of SEMTAC
Jim Keating Group Representing Fire Chiefs
Matthew Sammond Group Representing Professional Fire Fighters
Daniel Barela Group Representing EMS Educators
Brandon Daruna Group Representing Special Districts
Sean Wood Group Representing County Associations
Mike Freeman Group Representing County Associations
Barbara Huber Group Representing Municipalities
Elaine McManis CDPHE Representative 

On June 1, 2022, Governor Polis signed Senate Bill 22-225, the “Ambulance Service Sustainability and State Licensing” bill, into law. The new law creates an EMS System Sustainability Task Force to make statutory, rule and policy recommendations for how to preserve, promote and expand consumer access to emergency medical services in the state, including the development of standards for state licensing of ground ambulances and the preservation of local county authority to contract with and authorize licensed ground ambulances operating in their jurisdictions.

Task force phases

  • Phase 1 - Regulatory structure for ambulance service oversight and a report on the state of emergency medical services in Colorado
  • Phase 2- Inequity and disparity in access to EMS in Colorado
  • Phase 3 - EMS Workforce recruiting & retention
  • Phase 4 - Financial sustainability of the statewide EMS system
  • Phase 5 - Long-term sustainability of the statewide EMS system