Sponsor Statement for SB 164

Authority of Emergency Medical Technicians

Senate Bill 164 repairs a long overdue shortcoming in our public safety network. Specifically, it provides EMT's with appropriate and relevant authority at the scene of an accident as well as during responses to medical emergencies in homes, without creating potential conflict between emergency personnel. SB 164 is intended to protect EMT's who arrive first on the scene of an accident or medical emergency, or who are the only emergency responders to arrive for some time, as is the case in many rural areas.

Currently, we ask emergency medical technicians to perform actions necessary to their duties such as:

• controlling and directing activities at the scene of an accident;
• temporarily blocking or redirecting traffic to avoid the scene of an accident;
• trespassing upon property in order to respond to an emergency call;
• entering a building, including a private residence, or premises where report of an injury or illness has taken place; and
• directing the removal or destruction of a motor vehicle or other thing in order to prevent further harm to injured or ill individuals;

without giving them the proper legal authority to do so. By taking for granted that EMT's are expected to perform these duties in the absence of any legal authority, we leave hundreds of men and women vulnerable to lack of cooperation on the part of the public and potential liable suits.

Alaska relies heavily on its emergency medical personnel, especially in rural areas were law enforcement and fire personnel are relatively few in numbers. Just as we expect EMT's to protect our safety in an emergency situation, we should reciprocate this service, and give EMT's the proper legal authority to do their jobs without compromising their personal safety.