REPLICA member states have selected NREMT Board Chair Debra Cason to serve as an honorary chair of the first meeting of the Interstate Commission for EMS Personnel Practice. The inaugural meeting will be held Oct. 7-8 in Oklahoma and will be open to the public. Read the full release below.

FALLS CHURCH, VA — 20 September 2017 — Representatives from member states (Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming) have chosen Debra Cason, Dia Gainor, and Rick Patrick, as honorary chairs for the first meeting of the Interstate Commission (Commission) for EMS Personnel Practice. The Recognition of EMS Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact’s (REPLICA’s) model legislation creates a formal pathway for the licensed individual to provide pre-hospital care across state lines under authorized circumstances. REPLICA states continue to prepare for the first meeting of the Commission.

Debra Cason is chair of the National Registry of EMT’s (NREMT) Board of Directors; Dia Gainor is executive director for the National Association of State EMS Offices (NASEMSO); and Rick Patrick is senior advisor for the Office of Health Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security. They are being recognized for their contributions to the development and implementation of the nation’s first EMS Compact. "The NREMT applauds the spirit of collaboration the Compact fosters between EMS professionals, their employers and state EMS offices in ensuring that patients and their loved ones always receive timely, safe and competent care," stated Debra Cason. "I am humbled by this honor and truly value our relationship with the REPLICA team." Dia Gainor added “NASEMSO is proud of our role in advancing our profession through standing up the nation’s first compact. I am honored that the REPLICA states have chosen to memorialize my efforts on behalf of state EMS officials in the development and implementation of this tool for solving cross border issues while bringing about maximum accountability.

After being officially seated, REPLICA state delegates will immediately take up the business of the Commission. Agenda items include the adoption of interim bylaws, nomination and election of officers, and establishing standing committees. A public hearing for Chapter One, Rule on Rulemaking will be held Sunday, Oct. 8, at 9:30a.m. CST.

The first meeting will be held at the Oklahoma Museum of Fine Arts, starting Oct. 7, at 1:00 p.m. CST, and continuing on Sunday, Oct. 8, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. CST. All meetings are open to the public and are available via virtual participation.

The mission of the National Registry of EMTs is to serve as the National EMS Certification organization by providing a valid, uniform process to assess the knowledge and skills required for competent practice by EMS professionals throughout their careers and by maintaining a registry of certification status.

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Media Contact:

Shane Cartmill
Communications & Marketing Manager
scartmill@nremt.org