Fromthe Legislative Attic

As we approach the end of Spring and the beginning of Summer (when the article is due), meetings and legislative fund raisers are filling my inbox at a rapid pace. I have provided the Executive Director and Legislative Chair with a listing of legislative meetings through the end of the year, but this is subject to change from week to week.

You have heard me say on numerous occasions that there will be a significant turnover in both the House of Delegates and the Senate. Eleven members of the Senate have previously announced their retirement and one of these is now in Congress. 40% of the members have retired or are not running for reelection. The House is in a similar position as redistricting has taken its toll. June 20th is primary day and then we will find out who will be campaigning for the contested seats.

EMS week was celebrated on May 24th at the VAVRS training center and was co -sponsored by Goochland Fire and Rescue. The Chair of the Goochland Board of Supervisors, Neil Spoonhower, and board member John Lumpkins, Jr. were in attendance. Also representing the county was Fire Chief Eddie Ferguson, who spoke briefly about Goochland County, how it has grown and how EMS has worked to stay on top of the progress. Deputy Chief Mike Watkins, and Fire Marshal Doug Davies along with members of the department with some of their equipment.

Delegate John McGuire was in attendance and spoke briefly in support of the VAVRS and EMS first responders.

The keynote address was given by the Honorable John Littel, Secretary of Health and Human Resources.

He also spoke on the importance of EMS in the Commonwealth. Also from the Secretary’s Office was Deputy Secretary Leah Mills and Legislative Liaison Calvin Hogg.

Gary Brown, Director of OEMS was also in attendance and provided some words of wisdom

(Continued onpage 17) from the office on the importance of VAVRS in the EMS Community.

VAVRS thanks everyone who attended, including numerous Hall of Fame members, Life Members and Officers and Heidi Hooker of ODEMSA. Thanks to those who put in the time and effort to make this successful. Thanks also go to the VAVRS office staff for their hard work. VAVRS Executive Director Bubby Bish thanked the staff for their time and effort and VAVRS President Wesley Melson also thanked those in attendance. Gary Dalton, MC for the event, handled the introductions and gave directions for the lunch.

Other news, the latest version of the new EMS Regulations is currently on the EMS webpage under the Regulation and Compliance sub-heading. These are there for your review. The OEMS staff is working on what is called a “side by side” comparison of the current regulations and the new ones with explanations as to why the changes have been made. It will take them a few months to complete this project. These have been approved by the EMS Advisory Board and will go to the Board of Health either in September or December of this year.

The Joint Legislative and Audit Commission has sent the issue of Public Safety Communications Officers to a study by the commission staff. This was done at an earlier meeting. This should conclude this article, but if you have any questions please feel free to contact me. Hopefully I will see you at convention.