Comparative Analysis of EMS Components of State Strategic Highway Safety Plans: Where is EMS?

Background: All States are mandated to generate a Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) to respond to the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), effective October 1, 2007. SHSPs are required to encompass: Engineering, Enforcement, Education and Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

Objective: To identify the scope and nature of the EMS components of the SHSPs developed by each State.

Methodology: State SHSPs, written subsequent to SAFETEA-LU legislation, from April 5, 2006 to January 8, 2008, were identified via electronic search of State government, other transportation information resources and web sites. Each SHSP was searched for EMS representation, an EMS section, and any references to EMS. The identified EMS components were categorized and compared.

Results: Study identified plans for 49/50 States, 31/49 had no EMS specified section, 4/49 had an EMS section ≥10 % of the total document, the remainder had < 10% focused on EMS. EMS representation was not identified on all SHSP development committees. In SHSPs with an EMS section, categories addressed were not consistent across plans. No field of EMS focus was common to all plans.

Conclusion: The State SHSPs evaluated reflected a varied involvement of EMS representatives, identification of diverse EMS priorities, and varied EMS-related highway safety issues. Although regional variation is expected, involvement of key EMS stakeholders should be standard in the basic development of SHSP. Consideration of uniform recommendations for the core aspects of EMS SHSP components could enhance a more substantive role of EMS in these State plans.