Department Manager for the Nevada EMS Office Bobbie Sullivan, stationed out of Elko, came forward in person at the Sept. 15 Eureka County Commission meeting to address the Commissioners. “We are the state regulatory program overseeing emergency medical services in the state, including certification and licensure of personnel such as EMTs and paramedics. The program also oversees the permitting of EMS and fire agencies that provide pre-hospital response to the citizens of our great state and its visitors. I am here today to offer assistance as well as clarification. As I’m sure you’re aware, providing pre-hospital 911 emergency medical services in Nevada, while considered essential, is not a requirement under law to be provided. Our office received notification that a comment had been made in a public setting that, without response of the ambulance, there was an immediate risk for revocation of the permit to operate.” Sullivan wanted to “assure this board that there is no discussion with this office concerning any revocation of a permit to operate an ambulance service.”

Sullivan continued, “The comment was also apparently made, and I’m going again on information that was given to me late Sunday, so if I misspeak, my apologies to this board. There was also a reference to a Crescent Valley permit being revoked. That is incorrect. Several years ago, a decision was made in the State EMS Office to bring the third-party services, which are services such as the county service, under one permit. This reduced redundancy; it streamlined patient care recording; it increased compliance with that patient recording; it also streamlined tracking, education and training of not only the volunteers, but the career staff as well. There is a reference to Nevada Administrative Code 450B580 number 7 that I’d like to present to the Board. It does say that the operator of a service is supposed to be 24/7, and if they’re not—and it speaks to vehicles that are out of service or other issues—that this is what we consider a ‘brown-out,’ an inability to respond to those calls, then you’re supposed to notify our office within 48 hours. We would like to be able to continue to offer assistance, technical assistance or anything that this board or service needs to continue the operations of the service. During the EMT class that just completed, that we’re working with the Director on getting those students in a position to complete the testing process to expand the number of providers that you have. And while we recognize that smaller departments, especially career departments, struggle with those 24/7 responses, we’re not looking to shut anyone down.”

Sullivan expressed that she was available to answer questions by phone. Her office number is: (775) 753-1128.