W. Va. Code R. § 64-48-3 - [Effective 8/1/2025] Systems and Operations

3.1. Local Systems -- County commissions are encouraged to establish local systems consistent with the duty contained inW. Va. Code § 7-15-1, et seq., which:

3.1.1. Define a geographical service area; and

3.1.2. Establish the minimum level of service required within the service area and ensures the established level of care is available to all citizens within that service area 24 hours per day and 365 days per year.

3.1.3. Development of a plan describing how the local system will address:

3.1.3.a. The dispatch, coordination and oversight of all agencies and personnel operating within the Local System;

3.1.3.b. The provision of sufficient numbers of permitted and staffed ambulances to provide emergency ambulance coverage to the service area 24-hours per day;

3.1.3.c. The establishment, monitoring, and reporting of system response time standards;

3.1.3.d. Integration with other county emergency management entities in the county's all-hazard disaster plan; and

3.1.3.e. The establishment of a communication system that provides for:

3.1.3.e.1. Public access using the telephone number 9-1-1 within the public telephone network as the primary method to request assistance;

3.1.3.e.2. An emergency communications system operated by public safety telecommunicators with training in the management of calls for emergency medical assistance available 24-hours per day;

3.1.3.e.3. Dispatch of the most appropriate EMS agency or EMS vehicle to any request for assistance in accordance with a written plan for management and deployment of resources, including requests for mutual aid; and

3.1.3.e.4. Two-way voice communications from within the defined service area to the emergency communications center or Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP).

3.1.4. County commission statutory ambulance authorities or other statutory entities charged with the responsibility for providing the service should designate those transporting and non-transporting EMS agencies which are affiliated with the local system.

3.1.4.a. It is not necessary to designate air ambulance agencies and non-public response agencies.

3.1.4.b. Affiliation should be evidenced by a contract, franchise agreement, or other written documentation.

3.1.5. Local systems should designate an official contact person to be the primary contact for OEMS in all matters relating to the local system.

3.2. Data System.

3.2.1. OEMS shall participate in the NEMSIS electronic data collection project. All data collection systems shall be certified NEMSIS compliant for all state required data elements. OEMS shall maintain a list of collection programs approved for use in the state. Additionally, state approved collection programs shall be certified NEMSIS compliant for each EMS agency.

3.2.2. EMS agencies shall collect, maintain, and report accurate patient data for all incidents. Agencies shall complete a PCR for all incidents. PCRs shall be completed and submitted to the state data system following the conclusion of providing services to a patient, in accordance with policies and guidelines established by OEMS.

3.2.3. When an ambulance transports a patient to a medical facility's emergency room or department, at a minimum a patient handoff report, as specified by OEMS, shall be provided to the facility prior to departing. Within 72 hours of the conclusion of providing services to a patient, the EMS agency shall make a copy of the complete PCR available to the receiving facility, either electronically or written, which shall serve as the official record of the incident.

Notes

W. Va. Code R. § 64-48-3