Ind. executive order allows retired, inactive EMS professionals to work during pandemic

By Laura French

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has issued an executive order allowing retired or inactive EMS professionals to work during the COVID-19 pandemic without reinstatement or approval by the Indiana EMS Commission.

The order applies to EMRs, EMTs, AEMTs and paramedics whose license or certification has become inactive within the past five years, but has not been revoked, suspended or relinquished, according to the order signed Tuesday. Providers do not need to have been licensed specifically in the state of Indiana to work under the new rule.

Retired or inactive EMS providers will be permitted to work under the direct supervision of a certified or licensed EMS provider or licensed healthcare professional, and cannot act as a sole patient caregiver.

The state Department of Homeland Security is also issuing temporary certificates and licenses for some EMS professionals, which will last for 90 days and allow them to work unsupervised with the approval of a medical director.

Some educational requirements for EMS students are also being waived under the order in order to expedite new providers entering the workforce.

Indiana has seen nearly 5,000 COVID-19 cases and 139 deaths from the disease over the last 30 days, the order states.

Read the full executive order below:

https://www.in.gov/gov/files/Executive%20Order%2020-19%20Additonal%20Directives%20to%20Manage%20Health%20Response.pdf

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Learn more about COVID-19 response and government actions with these resources:

• NREMT extends 2020 recertification deadline, modifies requirements due to COVID-19
• NREMT approves provisional certifications during national emergency

• Minn. executive order extends deadline for state EMS certifications

• Minnesota issues ‘5-day Emergency Suspension of Ambulance Services’ memo
• Minn. EMS agencies asked to maintain normal operations during emergency
• EMS Compact declared operational

• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid extends flexibility in transport locations, paperwork

• Temporary CMS changes provide needed flexibility

• Texas governor suspends regulations to increase EMS workforce

• Paramedic education programs given flexibility under new accreditation guidelines