NVFC Asks Federal Government to Create EMS Data Collection/Information Sharing Document

May 15, 2014

On April 18, the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), through the Joint National EMS Leadership Forum (JNEMSLF), signed onto a letter requesting that the federal government develop an EMS Data Collection and Information Sharing Agenda for the Future document.

The NVFC supported the development of the National EMS Information System (NEMSIS), which currently holds over 42 million event-level records and anticipates the collection of 22 million more records this year alone. With so much information being collected and 46 of 56 states and territories now contributing to NEMSIS, it is critical that the data is used to help policymakers and providers improve EMS delivery.

This issue has also been recognized by the Federal Interagency Committee on EMS (FICEMS), which identified promoting standardization and quality improvement of prehospital data as one of four focal areas for immediate action in a recently-adopted strategic plan.