Ted R. Delbridge, MD, MPH

Controlling costs and maintaining value! This was the goal of the NAEMSP Board of Directors when it met earlier this summer to review and approve our budget for the fiscal year that began July 1.

 

For the past few years, those who read our Annual Reports or paid attention at our business meetings enjoyed learning that NAEMSP is a growing organization.  As part of our growth we had set a course to accumulate greater reserve capital, ensuring that we had the ability to tolerate unforeseen circumstances or make strategic programmatic investments when important opportunities arose.  Quite frankly, NAEMSP members were investing in their organization by virtue of dues payments, meeting attendance, and ongoing support from our sponsors helped tremendously.

 

Now is the time to take advantage of some of our reserve funds.  The forecast for the year ahead is not as certain.  Many of us are scaling back travel plans for continuing education.  Discretionary funds may not be as available.  Therefore, expressed the Board, it is important to hold the line on expenses to our members, such as dues.  Thus, although the costs of the association’s business have increased, dues shall not.  Instead, a small bit of reserve capital will be used to offset any fiscal shortcoming.

 

This may seem trivial.  But, what it says about our organization is meaningful.  In its 25 year history NAEMSP has been about creating value for its members who commit so much of themselves to their EMS avocation.  By avoiding an increase in the cost of membership, instead taking advantage of previous investments, NAEMSP continues to keep this focus.

 

Another example of how NAEMSP reserves are important came throughout the course of last year when we prepared a petition for the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) to sponsor a subspecialty board for EMS.  Many people volunteered their expertise and countless hours to get the job done.  However, we, in partnership with the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) were able to fund meetings and administrative and editorial support that proved to be crucial.  I am happy to report that ABEM considered our petition at its summer meeting and has subsequently made application to the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) to further advance the cause of EMS as a subspecialty of medicine.  The appropriate committee of ABMS will give its first evaluation of the application at a meeting in February 2010.

 

This is a tremendous accomplishment just to get the process to where it is, which is unchartered territory for EMS.  However, there is still quite a way to go and a great deal of detail to be worked out.  As the issue progresses, I and the other members of the Board would be eager to hear your thoughts.

 

NAEMSP is fortunate in that each year more than one-third of our members attend the Annual Meeting.  Clearly, the Annual Meeting offers multi-dimensional value.  Value, like quality, is typically in the eye of the beholder.  For some, the availability of networking opportunities is important.  We are always appreciative of the efforts of our federal partners and industry supporters who make the NAEMSP meeting a venue for important discussions with EMS thought leaders.  Others seek a platform to share their research.  They desire intellectual dialogue and the potential to publish their work in a respected journal.  Under the guidance of Jim Menegazzi, Prehospital Emergency Care, our official journal and a member benefit, has steadily increased its impact, emerging as one of the leading journals of emergency medicine, especially regarding EMS.  Many folks appreciate the educational program.  The 2010 program is sure to provide a bounty of useful information and take-home messages and tools.

 

Recognizing the value and importance of the NAEMSP Annual Meeting for its members, the Board routinely calls upon Program Committee Chair Kevin Mackey for updates about planning.  I have every confidence that the program committee is working hard to ensure that the 2010 Annual Meeting in January will be outstanding.  Their efforts will be complemented by the venue in Phoenix, Arizona.  Not only is Phoenix a relatively easy destination to travel to, but the Hilton Tapatio Cliffs will provide the sort of backdrop conducive to all the meeting activities members find valuable.

 

At the 2010 Annual Meeting, NAEMSP will host a summit regarding EMS personnel safety in moving ambulances.  Jane Brice is leading this effort, which is made possible by major support from Zoll® and additional support from Physio-Control®.  This will yield a “white paper” on the issue, which we hope will complement other EMS safety initiatives in the United States and Canada and the work of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies.  Please be on the lookout for details so that you might consider participating.

 

Two final notes.  Recently you should have received electronic notification to vote for NAEMSP Board of Directors members.  It takes only a moment to do and your participation is critical.  If you did not receive the notification, please contact Stephanie Newman at the executive office and she can help.  Additionally, I remind everyone that the horsepower of NAEMSP exists in its membership and committees.  The NAEMSP website lists committees and their chairs.  Please do not hesitate to express your interest and get involved.  Drop me a message any time at delbridget@ecu.edu.