MEETING DATE
2/19/2015 |
BUREAU SUBMITTING THIS REPORT
Basic Training Bureau |
RESEARCHED BY (PRINT NAME)
Scott Loggins |
REVIEWED BY (PRINT NAME)
Alan Deal |
REPORT DATE
01/12/2015 |
APPROVED BY
Robert A. Stresak |
DATE APPROVED
01/20/15 |
PURPOSE
Information Only |
FINANCIAL IMPACT
No
|
| ISSUE: |
| This is an informational report on the proposed regulation changes to Peace Officer First Aid/CPR Training requirements, and the progress of the POST led collaborative effort with EMSA to revise curriculum for the Basic Course and in-service training. |
| BACKGROUND: |
| The California Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA), which establishes First Aid/CPR training standards for public safety personnel, has received approval from the Emergency Medical Services Commission to revise the California Code of Regulations, Division 9, Title 22, Chapter 1.5 First Aid Standards for Public Safety Personnel, that significantly increase the skills to be taught to peace officers. POST collaborated with EMSA to revise the curriculum to meet the new standards. |
| ANALYSIS: |
POST staff worked with EMSA to provide input on the revisions of the proposed First Aid/CPR regulations, including the facilitation of two informational workshops for law enforcement agencies/stakeholders throughout the state. The meetings were held in order to determine the best course of action for addressing the First Aid/CPR needs of law enforcement and allowed substantive discussion and feedback.
During the workshops and through additional communication with EMSA and the field, staff provided EMSA with recommendations, identified issues to consider, and suggested revisions of the proposed regulations. The regulations add new content that addresses: Automated External Defibrillators (AED); assistance in the administration of oral glucose, naloxone, and epinephrine; and treating assorted trauma emergencies (see Attachment A). The revised regulations also require the training to be competency based. The EMSA regulations will eventually be reflected in POST regulations, including the Training and Testing Specifications and instructor qualifications. The content impacts Learning Domain 34 in the Basic Course, and in-service training for peace officers.
The proposed regulations provide for a 24-month implementation period for POST to revise its curricula, develop revised instructor requirements, change related Commission regulations and for agencies to implement the training requirements. This means POST has a limited window of time to complete its processes. The anticipated compliance date for presenters of the revised first aid/CPR training, pending approval through the Office of Administrative Law, is April 1, 2017.
Since the October 2014 Commission meeting, POST held the first of several workshops to conduct an in-depth comparison of the proposed guidelines with the existing curriculum, identify content that is already addressed and add the new content. The workshop participants are a blend of personnel with backgrounds in law enforcement, emergency medical services and training, with diverse levels of expertise and skill-sets. A common denominator, however, was the genuine passion for excellence in training as well as public service. During the line-by-line analysis and comparison of the proposed regulations with existing curriculum, POST and EMSA staff determined that a significant portion of the proposed content is already addressed in the existing curriculum.
POST has scheduled its next curriculum development meeting for February 18-20, 2015. Staff will collaborate further with EMSA, law enforcement, first aid instructors and emergency medical personnel to update the Basic Course, in-service and instructor training. In that meeting the participants will continue with the analysis of the curriculum, and explore options with the state’s local EMSA’s to partner with POST in the development and delivery of standardized instructor training.
One concern to POST is the fiscal impact on state and local agencies in the increased costs that will be incurred to implement the revised training. The costs are related to increased hours of training, First Aid/CPR equipment and supplies needed to conduct the training, and the expenses to equip officers with equipment/supplies they are authorized to carry and use in the administration of first aid/CPR. There are no funds earmarked to address these added costs. |
| RECOMMENDATION: |
| This report submitted for information only. No action is required. |
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