EMS News Briefs from Mike McEvoy

EMS Coordinator Mike McEvoy, Ph.D., NRP, RN, CCRN
NYSAFC EMS Committee

DOH Extends EMS Certifications
Under one of the governor's executive orders, the New York State Bureau of EMS and Trauma has added one year to the expiration date of all CFR, EMT, AEMT, EMT-CC, Paramedic, CLI, and CIC certifications that were current as of 9/1/2019.  Additionally, DOH is accepting applications for reinstatement of CFR, EMT, AEMT, and Paramedic cards that expired between 1/1/2019 and 8/31/2019. Once approved, providers with these expired certifications will receive a letter reinstating their card to the certification level they previously held through 12/31/2020. They will then be eligible to recert through either the CME program or traditional recert to gain an additional three years on their reinstated card. For EMT, AEMT, EMT-CC, and Paramedics who expired between 1/1/2015 and 12/31/2018, DOH is accepting applications to reinstate certification at the EMT level, valid through the end of this year. Providers requesting reinstatement should submit their request via the Bureau reinstatement portal.

Heart Association Extends Cards
The American Heart Association announced a three-month extension of all cards (BLS, ACLS, PALS, etc.) expiring in March 2020 and thereafter. The fact sheet on the extension is downloadable here.