Each applicant for designation as a Regional EMS Council shall
be evaluated on the basis of all of the following criteria and
conditions:
(A) Evidence of support for
designation as a Regional EMS Council from a substantial number of municipal
governments, hospitals, and ambulance services geographically distributed
within the area covered by the proposed Regional EMS Council;
(B) A commitment to cooperate with the
Department in its effort to carry out its authority and responsibility as
defined in M.G.L. c. 111C;
(C) A
commitment to adopt a regional EMS plan within one year of adoption of the
state EMS plan, pursuant to
105
CMR 170.050.
(D)
Regional Council Membership
and Meetings.
(1) Each Council
shall be established through a fair and open selection process. It shall be
structured so as to reflect equitably the entire geographic region, as well as
the interests of the component entities of the EMS system. The Council shall be
made up of at least ten persons, but no more than 35 members. At minimum, the
Council shall have the following representation:
(a) one representing local
governments;
(b) one designated by
a hospital;
(c) one designated by a
fire suppression service;
(d) one
designated by a primary ambulance service;
(e) one designated by a law enforcement
agency;
(f) one of whom is a
licensed practicing physician with regular and frequent involvement in the
provision of emergency care;
(g)
one of whom is an emergency care nurse;
(h) one of whom is an EMT;
(i) one of whom is designated by an EMS first
response service; and
(j) one of
whom is a consumer.
(2)
Council membership shall reflect fairly and equitably representation from each
geographic area throughout the region.
(3) Meetings shall be held with sufficient
frequency to ensure execution of duties and functions and to ensure that
adequate information is transmitted to and from the organizations, groups,
professions, occupations, services, and/or disciplines and consumers
represented by the respective Council members.
(4) All meetings, whether held separately or
in conjunction with the Regional EMS Council, at which the business of the
Council or Councils is conducted, shall be held as required by, and in
conformance with M.G.L. c. 30A, § 11A, the open meeting law.
(E)
Bylaws: Each Regional EMS Council shall draft and
maintain updated bylaws. Bylaws shall be submitted to the Department, as
updated, for its review and evaluation, and shall at minimum address the
following:
(1) A selection process for Council
members and officers;
(2)
Enumerated duties and responsibilities of Council members and officers
including requirements for fair and equitable representation of the entire
region and all component entities of the EMS system therein served by the
Regional EMS Council, and periodic and regular reports to the Council;
and
(3) A committee structure
designed to facilitate duties and functions, and the achievement of the
regional EMS plan.
(F)
Regional EMS Councils, their members, officers and agents shall comply with
M.G.L. c. 268A, the conflict of interest law, and conflict of interest
provisions set out in their contracts with the Department.
