Emergency Medical Services Oversight Program

Program Overview

The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Oversight Program was established by an interlocal agreement executed by local jurisdictions in August 2014. The agreement created an emergency medical oversight function for designated organizations within the region for the management, measurement and improvement of EMS in Washoe County.

The Program strives to support the needs of the community for cost effective, expedient and quality emergency medical care and ground transport. Staff represents Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) on local and statewide committees which may include representatives from hospitals, ambulance services, fire and law enforcement agencies. Staff provides technical expertise to other agencies throughout the State as requested. Staff advises the District Board of Health (DBOH) on the public health impact of EMS decisions made within the three political jurisdictions of Reno, Sparks and Washoe County.

In addition, Program staff coordinates medical disaster planning, response and recovery activities before, during, and after disasters within Washoe County. Staff oversee medical disaster planning activities in support of the Multi-Casualty Incident Plan (MCIP), the Guidelines on EMS Coverage for Mass Gatherings, and the Mutual Aid Evacuation Agreement (MAEA).

The DBOH has been granted specific authority from the City of Reno, City of Sparks, and Washoe County to grant and oversee the ground ambulance franchise the Board awarded to REMSA in 1987. More recently, the DBOH approved an Amended and Restated Franchise Agreement for Ambulance Service in May 2014. You can view the most recent version of the Amended and Restated Franchise Agreement for Ambulance Services, approved in February of 2023. The EMS Program staff assists the DBOH in monitoring REMSA's compliance with the franchise requirements. The most recent version of the REMSA Health Response Zone Map can be found here.

Northern Nevada Public Health is not the licensing authority for EMS providers in Nevada. The State of Nevada Emergency Medical Systems (EMS) Office provides certification and licensing of EMS personnel in all Counties except Clark County. Should you have questions related to certification, licensing, EMS attendant applications, provisional licenses, or other EMS endorsements please contact the Nevada EMS Office at (775) 687-7590.

 

 

Contact Us

775.326.6043	EMSProgram@nnph.org

 

 

 

Complaints

775.326.6042	AEsp@nnph.org