The EMS for Children Program in Pennsylvania is a collaborative effort between the Pennsylvania Department of Health – Bureau of EMS, the Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council (PEHSC), and other partners as part of a federal grant initiative through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

The mission of the Federal EMS for Children Program is to ensure that all children and adolescents, no matter where they live, attend school, or travel, receive appropriate care in a health emergency.

This site has been specifically designed for EMS providers, parents, and the community to provide information on the Pennsylvania EMSC Program and its activities. We encourage you to browse the various menu options above to learn more about the EMS for Children Project. If you have any comments or questions about the site, please let us know by clicking on the “Contact Us” tab.

Are you really “peds ready?”

The National Prehospital Pediatric Readiness Project (PPRP) survey period will run from May 1, 2024 through July 31, 2024. During this time, ALL Pennsylvania EMS and fire/rescue agencies (QRS through ALS) who respond as part of a 911 EMS response should complete the survey.

We are providing several tools for Pennsylvania EMS Agencies and fire/rescue department QRS services to effectively complete the survey in a timely and accurate means. Time to complete the survey is averaging 30 minutes.

You should collaborate internally with your agency medical director, EMS leadership, and your Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator (if one has been identified) to determine the best and appropriate responses to survey questions before submitting the online survey.

Pennsylvania Agency Survey Resources

for a letter mailed to all licensed EMS and fire/rescue agencies who report they respond to 911 calls for Emergency Medical Services.

for a Pennsylvania specific guidance resource that provides clarification to many questions which may not be clear to PA agencies as this is a national survey and utilizes terms not familiar to our services.

for the comparison of the equipment listed in the national consensus guidelines and the Pennsylvania EMS Vehicle, Equipment and Supply Requirements for Emergency Medical Services published January 27, 2024. Remember to consider your agency licensure level and scope of practice.

for a copy of the 2024 National Prehospital Pediatric Readiness Assessment to use as a guide in identifying your responses BEFORE you login to the survey site and complete the official online survey.

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Two Q & A Sessions will be available for participants to ask questions about the survey. Registration is required. Register for either or both sessions. Zoom information will be provided after you register.

Q & A Session Monday May 6th @ noon

Q & A Session May 22nd @ 19:00

Please direct any questions regarding information being asked in the survey to dspencer@pehsc.org.

Please direct any survey completion or technical questions to EMSpedsReadySupport@hsc.utah.edu

Thank you for supporting our effort to improve pediatric care in Pennsylvania.

Updated April 24, 2024

Our website will be under construction over the next few months.

Look for a new and refreshed page in Mid-May

COMMUNICATIONS RESOURCES

This handy document from the PA Office of Developmental Programs, PA Department of Human Services offers responders information on how to understand where specific conditions could impact effective communications, both from the patient and provider. * Click on the graphic to open *

The US Department of Justice has EMS specific resources to assist with identification and response to Vicarious Trauma and EMS providers. * Click on the graphic to open *

Pediatric Continuing Education

The Pennsylvania EMS for Children program supports the need for continual and quality pediatric education for EMS providers. You can access several pediatric courses through TRAIN PA, using your login information.

Additionally, the PA EMSC program continues to seek out new education to be shared on the online platform. If you have an approved course that you have presented and would like to put it on TRAIN PA contact the PA EMSC program or the TRAIN PA coordinator at 717.787.8740

Want to host a workshop at your station? The EMSC program can bring a 4-hour Safe Transport of Children in Ambulances workshop to your service, free of charge. This course is designed for all providers and will cover the basics of child passenger safety laws, various pediatric restraint devices, and how to best transport pediatric patients in an ambulance. For more info contact 717.795.0740 ext. 5

Be sure to follow our Facebook page for up to date opportunities for pediatric education as well!

current projects

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Welcome to the Pennsylvania EMS for Children Program!