Specifications include, but are not limited to: The focus of this initiative will be to review the current EMS system’s ability to maintain access to rural emergency medical services for the long term and to review the correlation between rural EMS recruitment and retention and system sustainability. The analysis will look statewide but will offer specific focus on the most rural and vulnerable districts of Vermont EMS. It will include gathering and analysis of stakeholder input, a review of national best practices and the development of key recommendations for system improvement. 1. Coordinate with Division staff to identify and develop recruitment and retention system analysis questions. In -person planning meetings will be necessary to identify Division goals and outline desired outcomes. Further development and coordination via electronic communications will likely aid in the creation of actual content. Analysis questions will look to identify key obstacles to the recruitment of qualified providers with emphasis on the most rural areas of Vermont. These questions will also look to identify particular reasons why EMS providers leave the Vermont EMS system. The contractor will be expected to transform Division goals into specific action items (questions, analysis, etc.) that will enable the collection of appropriate system information. 2. Conduct appropriate stakeholder communication regarding the identified system analysis questions. The Division envisions an electronic survey of Vermont EMS providers conducted by the contractor, at least three in person stakeholder/ “town hall” style meetings and focused communication to key stakeholders identified by the Division. This vision may be updated based on joint contractor/Division planning and contractor recommendations. 3. Conduct national analysis of best practices regarding system analysis questions. This should include a review of successful EMS systems in other states, contacts with other EMS agencies and systems, an expansive literature search and the gathering of national organization recommendations. 4. Compile, analyze and interpret information. Formulate specific system recommendations. This report will be delivered to the Division and should include at least 8-10 evidence based-strategies and tactics relating to the specific challenges of Vermont EMS. Recommendations should reflect information gathered in the system analysis and direct focus on those particular challenges.
