Section 8109 - Regional emergency medical services councils(a) Purpose.--Regional EMS councils shall assist the department in carrying out the provisions of this chapter. Each regional EMS council shall adhere to policy direction from the department.(b) Organization.--For purposes of this chapter, the organizational structure of a regional EMS council shall be representative of the public, health professions and major private and public voluntary agencies, organizations and institutions concerned with providing EMS in the region and shall be one of the following:(1) A unit of general local government, with an advisory council, meeting requirements for representation.(2) A representative public entity administering a compact or other areawide arrangement or consortium.(3) Any other public or private nonprofit entity that meets requirements for representation as determined by the department.(c) Duties.--Each regional EMS council shall, if directed by the department: (1) Assist the department in achieving the Statewide and regional EMS system components and goals described under section 8104 (relating to emergency medical services system programs).(2) Assist the department in the collection and maintenance of standardized data and information as provided in section 8106 (relating to emergency medical services patient care reports).(3) Prepare, annually review and revise, as needed, a regional EMS system plan for the EMS region the department has designated and for which the department has contracted or provided a grant to it to serve.(4) Carry out, to the extent feasible, the Statewide and regional EMS system plans.(5) Assure the reasonable availability of training and continuing education programs for EMS providers.(6) Provide necessary and reasonable staff services and appropriate and convenient office facilities that can serve as the EMS region's location for the planning, maintenance and coordinative and evaluative functions of the council.(7) Establish a mechanism to provide for input from facilities and EMS agencies in the EMS region in decisions that include, but are not limited to, membership on its governing body.(8) Establish, subject to department approval, regional EMS triage, treatment and transportation protocols consistent with Statewide protocols adopted by the department. A regional EMS council may also establish, subject to department approval, additional triage, treatment and transportation protocols. No regional protocol shall be subject to the rulemaking process.(9) Advise public safety answering points and municipal and county governments as to the EMS resources available for dispatching and recommend dispatch criteria that may be developed by the department or the council as approved by the department.(10) Assist the department in achieving a unified Statewide EMS system.(11) Designate a regional EMS medical director and establish a medical advisory committee and a quality improvement committee.(12) Develop a conflict of interest policy, subject to department approval, and require its board or advisory council members, officials and employees to agree to the policy in writing.(13) Perform other duties assigned by the department to assist the department in carrying out the requirements of this chapter.(d) Regional EMS medical directors.--The department shall consult with the regional EMS medical directors in developing and adopting EMS protocols and may consult with them on any matter involved in the department's administration of this chapter.2009, Aug. 18, P.L. 308, No. 37, §1, effective in 180 days [ 2/16/2010].