Emergency Medical Services Oversight Program
Program Overview
The Northern Nevada Public Health Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Oversight Program was established by an interlocal agreement executed by local jurisdictions in August 2014. The agreement created a regional emergency medical oversight function within the Northern Nevada Public Health for the management, measurement and improvement of EMS in Washoe County.
The Program strives to support the needs of the community for cost effective, expedient and quality emergency medical care and ground transport. Staff represents the Northern Nevada Public Health on local and statewide committees which may include representatives from hospitals, ambulance services, fire and law enforcement agencies. Staff provides technical expertise to other agencies throughout the State as requested. Staff advises the District Board of Health (DBOH) on the public health impact of EMS decisions made within the three political jurisdictions of Reno, Sparks and Washoe County.
In addition, Program staff coordinates medical disaster planning, response and recovery activities before, during and after disasters within Washoe County. Staff oversees medical disaster planning activities in support of the DBOH's Multi-Casualty Incident Plan (MCIP), the Guidelines on EMS Coverage for Mass Gatherings, and the Medical and Weapons of Mass Destruction Annexes of the Regional Hazardous Materials Management Plan.
The four ambulance services in Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) are the Regional Emergency Medical Services Authority (REMSA), the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, the Gerlach Fire and Ambulance Service and Pyramid Lake Fire Rescue (PLFR).
The DBOH has been granted specific authority from the City of Reno, City of Sparks and Washoe County to grant and oversee the ground ambulance franchise the Board awarded to REMSA in 1987. More recently, the DBOH approved an Amended and Restated Franchise Agreement for Ambulance Service in May 2014. The EMS Program staff assists the DBOH in monitoring REMSA's compliance with the franchise requirements.
The Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) is not the licensing authority for EMS providers in Nevada. The State of Nevada Emergency Medical Systems (EMS) Office provides certification and licensing of EMS personnel in all Counties except Clark County. Should you have questions related to certification, licensing, EMS driver applications, provisional licenses, or other EMS endorsements please contact the Nevada EMS Office at (775)687-7590.
Contact Information
Phone: 775.326.6042
Fax: 775.870.4470
Email: EMSProgram@washoecounty.us
Complaints
Phone Number: 775.326.6042
Email: aesp@washoecounty.us