"At the May 2006 Governor's EMS and Trauma Advisory Council EMS Committee meeting, it was discussed and decided that there would be a meeting for the sole purpose of initiating a discussion concerning recognition of 'EMS as an essential service'. This topic has been discussed many times, but thus far it has gone no where. We need to discuss where we are now, where we want to be, and how we can get there. Do we need to go for new legislation, or possibly a referendum decided by the voters? Is there a better way? What other groups need to be involved? What can we do to ensure our best chance at succeeding? Is it really necessary?

The first step is to get as many stake holder groups and individuals together as we can and get our thoughts together, then formulate a plan. An EMS Committee workgroup meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 8, 2006, at 6:00PM, at the Hilton Austin Airport, located at 9515 New Airport Drive, in Austin, TX. This is an attempt to get the collective brilliance of the leaders of EMS in Texas together to start this process. Please spread the word to all your members and contacts.

Thinking and working together, we can accomplish great things to improve patient care in Texas."

Governor's EMS and Trauma Advisory Council (GETAC)
Meeting Notification
Hilton Austin Airport, North
9515 New Airport Drive

Austin, Texas

Wednesday, August 9, 2006
8:00am-10:00am Combined EMS and Air Medical Committees
10:00am- 12:00pm Stroke Committee
1:00pm-3:00pm Education Committee
3:00pm-5:00pm Trauma Systems Committee
5:00pm- 7:00pm Regional Advisory Council (RAC) Chairs

Thursday, August 10, 2006
8:00am-9:30am Medical Directors Committee
9:30am-10:30am Combined Medical Directors and Pediatric Committees
10:30am-12:00pm Pediatric Committee
1:00pm-3:00pm EMS Committee
3:00pm-5:00pm Air Medical Committee
5:00pm-8:00pm Injury Prevention Committee

Friday, August 11, 2006
9:00am Governor's EMS and Trauma Advisory Council

Locations for these meetings may be found on the Airport Hilton's daily schedule Reader Boards.

Agendas will be available soon on our website www.tdh.state.tx.us/hcqs/ems/emshome.htm.

For more information, please call the Office of EMS/Trauma Systems Coordination at (512) 834-6700