Purpose
Serve in an advisory role and make recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners regarding emergency and nonemergency medical transportation services, first responder programs, training programs, communication systems, and other such appropriate facilities and services that significantly impact on the delivery of emergency medical services.
Assist in the development of appropriate EMS standards of care and levels of service commensurate with the needs of the citizens of Broward County and in securing emergency medical services related grants.
Created By
Broward County Ordinance #81-04, enacted January 15, 1981.
Amended by Ordinance #81-110, enacted November 19, 1981, providing that each organization need submit one (1) name instead of three (3) names to fill a vacancy; providing that a quorum shall be one third of the appointed members.
Amended by Ordinance #82-51, enacted September 16, 1982, changing the name of the Council to the Broward Regional Emergency Medical Services Council; increasing the membership; providing for appointment by the County Commissioners; changing the list of organizations represented on the Council; amending terms of members.
Amended by Ordinance #82-70, enacted December 16, 1982, providing for establishment of a review committee to hear violations relating to EMS violations; providing for establishment of committees.
Amended by Ordinance #86-11, enacted March 11, 1986, changing the names of certain agencies represented on the council.
Amended by Ordinance #88-23, enacted May 10, 1988, increasing the membership from 41 to 47; changing the nature of some categories of membership from reference to specific organizations to reference to specific categories of occupation; making changes regarding terms and replacement of members; making changes related to the EMS Review Committee.
Amended by Ordinance #93-12, enacted June 8, 1993, transferring staff assistance and resources support for the EMS Council from the Emergency Services Division to the Trauma Management Agency.
Amended by Ordinance #1998-37, enacted October 27, 1998, providing for exceptions to the residency requirement for the board appointments for the Broward County Medical Examiner, a Director of an Emergency Department in the North Broward Hospital District, and a Director of an Emergency Department in the Memorial Healthcare Systems.
Amended by Ordinance #2001-64, enacted November 27, 2001, increasing the membership from 47 to 50 and adjusting the categories/occupations.
Amended by Ordinance #2008-24, enacted June 10, 2008, increasing the membership from 50 to 51; providing revisions to the membership categories; and providing for removal of members in accordance with Section 1-233 of the Broward County Code, as may be amended from time to time.
Amended by Ordinance #2014-20, enacted June 10, 2014, decreasing the membership from 51 to 48; adjusting the categories/occupations; and providing for membership terms for all appointees in accordance with Section 1-233 of the Broward County Code.
Amended by Ordinance #2018-45, enacted December 4, 2018, decreasing the membership from 48 to 37; adjusting the categories/occupations.
Membership
Thirty-seven (37) members appointed by the Board of County Commissioners.
Members shall be residents of Broward County except the Broward County Medical Examiner, a Director of an Emergency Department in Broward Health, and a Director of an Emergency Department in the Memorial Healthcare Systems, who shall not be required to reside in Broward County.
(1) Each Broward County Commissioner shall appoint one (1) member of the EMS Council
(2) A name for each of the following categories or organizations shall be submitted to the Board by the EMS council for consideration:
PHYSICIANS
1. Emergency Medicine
2. Surgeon
3. Public Health
4. Pediatrician
5. Prehospital Medical Director
6. Broward County Medical Examiner
7. Director of an Emergency Department in Broward Health
8. Director of an Emergency Department in Memorial Healthcare System
HOSPITALS
9. Nonprofit/Proprietary
10. Broward Health, Administration
11. Memorial Healthcare System, Administration
NURSES
12. Emergency room
TRANSPORT
13. Private Ambulance
14. Municipal Fire
15. County Fire
16. Aircraft
ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT (ALS)
17. Municipal Provider
18. County Provider
19. Private Provider
ORGANIZATIONS/AGENCIES
20. Broward Emergency Medical Services Education
21. Broward Regional Health Planning Council, Inc.
22. American Red Cross - Broward County Chapter
23. Broward County Emergency Management Division
24. American Heart Association - Broward County Chapter
25. Broward County Trauma Advisory Panel
26. EMS Dispatch - County or Municipal
27. Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM)
28. Law Enforcement, Union Representative
29. Fire/Paramedic, Union Representative
The Board may approve a nomination from the EMS Council for appointment or may appoint another individual who meets the criteria of the particular category of membership sought to be filled.
Terms:
(1) The nine members appointed by the County Commission shall serve terms in accordance with the provisions of Section 1-233 of the Broward County Code, as may be amended from time to time. They do not have four (4) year terms.
(2) All other members appointed shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of County Commissioners for a term of four (4) years.
(3) All members who have two (2) consecutive unexcused absences or miss two (2) properly-noticed meetings in one (1) calendar year shall be automatically removed as a member of the EMS Council. In the event a member is automatically removed, a vacancy will exist. The EMS Council may nominate a new individual and submit the name to the Board for consideration for appointment or recommend to the Board that the individual be reappointed when extenuating circumstances are found to exist for the individual’s absences.
(4) Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner provided for the original appointments. An appointment to fill a vacancy shall only be for the remainder of the unexpired term being filled.
Quorum
One third (1/3) of the appointed members.
Attorney
Adam Katzman, Assistant County Attorney
954-357-7600
Coordinator
Alison Zerbe, Manager
Trauma Management Agency and EMS Section
Office of Medical Examiner and Trauma Services
954-357-5234
Assistant
Michele Bachmann, Office Support Specialist
954-357-5229
Meetings
Quarterly and at other times as necessary
First Thursday at 1:30 p.m.
Office of Medical Examiner and Trauma Services
5301 SW 31st Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
Website
Broward.org/browardems
Financial Disclosure not required.
Updated 06/05/19