Appendix E2 State Discussion Explanation

Appendix E2: Question-by-Question Explanation for NHTSA State EMS Discussions

This attachment provides an overview of the State EMS Office discussion items to be used in this study. The questions focus on the laws, rules and regulations governing ambulance operation, including training and education requirements. 

Discussion Item #	Explanation
Questions Related to EMS Agencies
1	This question establishes a point of contact for data clarification and whether multiple contacts are needed.
2-3	These questions help us understand which agency (or agencies) actually regulate EMS services within each State, and what type of regulation and oversight exists.
4	This question helps us verify the location of State laws, regulations, and rules for ambulance operation.
5	This question allows us to operationalize and compare differences in ground ambulance definitions across States. This may be relevant when considering rules and laws that effect operators of ambulances.
Questions Related to Ambulance Operators (Drivers)
Driver’s License and Non-Driver’s License Requirements
6	This question indicates the State’s driver licensing, certification, and endorsement requirements for ambulance operators, who created the requirements, and who monitors/enforces adherence to the requirements. Requirements may determine the presence/absence of training, and/or training content. It will thus be useful for characterizing States in the sample, and investigating differences in training content and approach across licensing requirements.
Driving History Check
7	This question asks if the State requires the review of driving records of its ambulance operators. It will be useful for characterizing the sample, and for investigating differences in requirements across driving record checks.
8	This item indicates the types of driving offenses that are screened during the driving record check. It will be useful for characterizing the sample, and for investigating differences in requirements across States.
Driver Training
9	This question asks whether ambulance operators in the State complete emergency vehicle operator training, and whether the training is required.
Driver Training – Program Description
10	This question allows us to obtain a subjective rating of training quality, which may be useful when comparing across States.
11	This question indicates whether training is specific to ambulances, ambulance type, or other emergency response vehicles. This is directly relevant to characterizing training content. Some training is specific to vehicle type, other training is broader in scope. This item will help characterize the focus of the training program(s) in the State.
12	This question allows for a description of the structure and organization of training. It is useful to characterize training according to its degree of structure. Completing highly structured training is very different from unstructured or otherwise informal training. Knowing this will help to characterize the sample and the type of ambulance operator training being conducted across the U.S.
13	This question asks about minimum State level hour requirements for the various training components.
14	This question directly asks for State recommended and approved training programs and more details about the programs. Compiling a national list for cross-reference will be useful for characterizing ambulance driver training across the U.S.
Driver Training – Training Administration
15	This question requests information about course instructor qualifications and certification requirements.
Driver Training – Training Content
16	This item helps understand what, if any, specific training content is reviewed and required by the State.
Driver Training – Training Criterion and Evaluation
17-18	These questions ask whether ambulance operators must pass a test or evaluation before driving an ambulance. They indicate whether trainees are trained to a criterion, and who sets that criterion.
19	Many ambulance agencies utilize volunteers to perform ambulance operator functions (including driving). This question asks whether volunteer ambulance operators must be trained to the same standard as non-volunteers in the State.
20	It is unknown if any States have evaluated the impacts of ambulance operator training. This question asks if the State has evaluated the effectiveness of its training program, and if so, how.
Driver Training – Refresher Training
21	This question asks about the frequency of State required refresher training. Refresher training is often important for skill retention, and sometimes correction.
22	Remedial training is often required when an individual demonstrates a need for refresher training. This question will be used to determine if States require remedial training after a crash.
Driver Training – Materials for Upload
23	One goal of the current research project is to collect driver training materials used by ambulance agencies across the U.S. This question asks the State if they have materials available that agencies use and operators may reference, and if so, we provide them with the means to share their material(s) with the study.
If you have electronic driver training materials that you are willing to share, please upload them by visiting he link below. Upload files here: https://www.dropbox.com/request/UQOsjRikzxpZTvBZYreO If you have paper-based materials that you are willing to share, please e-mail Dr. Kristopher Korbelak at [email protected].