Emergency Medical Transportation

The Bureau of Emergency Medical Services & Preparedness coordinates a comprehensive statewide emergency medical services (EMS) system designed to prevent death and disability when people suffer illness or injury. EMS in Idaho faces challenges due to vast rural/wilderness areas, rough terrain and inclement weather. Idaho EMS operates a statewide EMS communications center that is linked by microwave to mountaintop repeaters around the state, providing emergency communication capability with all air and ground EMS units, as well as with hospitals. The EMS program provides initial and technical assistance for EMS units throughout the state. This program includes special EMS for children and trauma system initiatives. The Bureau of EMS is administered by the Division of Health.

The Idaho State Communications Center is committed to providing emergency communication services and coordinating resources to a number of different agencies throughout the State of Idaho. The Idaho EMS Communications system operates 40 remote mountaintop transmitter sites connected by microwave links to StateComm in Meridian, Idaho. Radio contact is possible with literally every EMS service in Idaho. State Communications Specialists are trained and certified in Emergency Medical dispatch(EMD).

Over 16 EMS services statewide are dispatched using the mountaintop radio network. These include volunteer ambulance services, quick response units (QRU's) and specialized rescue units such as Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue. EMS services dispatched and primarily in small communities which have no dispatching capabilities of their own. StateComm can also relay information between responding units who may not be able to copy each other due to lower powered mobile radios and terrain, but will be able to copy each other due to lower powered mobile radios and terrain, but will be able to transmit and receive to and from EMS Communications Center mountaintop sites.

State Comm can also assist EMS services with medical control requests regarding the care of specific patients. StateComm handles all telephone and radio traffic for ITD 24/7. StateComm also offers flight following for EMS and non-EMS services. StateComm can directly contact State Aeronautics, Civil Air Patrol and Air Force Rescue Coordination (AFRCC) at Langley Air Force Base, if problems occur, such as downed or overdue aircraft. Over 10 state and Federal agencies use the Idaho State EMS Communications Center as their primary notification point. Examples include EPA, DEQ, Civil Air Patrol, State Aeronautics, Bureau of Homeland Security, Public Health, and the INL Oversight Commission. StateComm is also a link between Idaho and the FEMA National Warning Center, (NAWAS).

All reports of Hazardous materials releases are reported to StateComm. StateComm notifies the appropriate agencies when requested, coordinates the response of emergency teams. Each hazardous material report results in an initial conference call with the on scene Commander, DEQ, BHM and the appropriate Regional Response Team. StateComm maintains computer files listing each community in Idaho its local EMS, law enforcement and fire agencies and the closest hospitals, air ambulance service and extrication unit. StateComm maintains file and contact information for all EMS services in Idaho and the surrounding states. StateComm is staffed 24 hrs a day 365 days a year by a Communications Specialist.