What
is the National Native American EMS Association all about?
The NNAEMSA is the
only national organization that specifically serves supports and represents
approximately 70 individual Native American Emergency Medical Service programs.
These 70 EMS programs Provide pre-hospital care to over half a million Native
American people who live on reservations or in non-reservation area (such as
Oklahoma and Alaska).
NNAEMSA was
initially organized in 1992. Its principle activity since its inception has been
providing affordable and quality education by presenting an Annual Educational
Conference held the 2nd week of November.
NNAEMSA is
governed by a Board of Directors, who are elected from the general membership
during the Annual Educational Conference. Board members serve two-year terms and
they may stand for re-election after completion of their terms. The Board elects
officers (President, Vice President, etc.) from the members of the Board.
Officers and other Board members are volunteers and do not receive compensation
for the services to the Association.
The Board of
Directors meet at least twice a year to conduct Association business. One Board
meeting is usually held at the site of the upcoming conference site and the
other one is held in a geographic location easy to access by all members.
In its initial
years of operation, NNAEMSA relied solely on the voluntary efforts of its
members, especially its officers, to accomplish tasks. But the Association has
grown in size to the point that there is too much work in running the
Association and preparing the Annual Conference for its members and its Board
(all of whom are employed full time as EMS professionals) to do.
Almost two years
ago, the Board contracted an Executive Director to accomplish most of the above
stated work. This arrangement worked well; needed tasks we accomplished more
efficiently than ever before.
NNAEMSA will
continue to present its Annual Educational Conference and will work to improve
the quality of the Conference. The Association will also secure services of
professional personnel, clerical assistants, editorial assistants, and other
nonprofessional staff as needed to support an enhanced and improved Conference.
Such support may include administrative support immediately before, during and
after the Conference.
NNAEMSA will
undertake to establish linkages with the National Indian Health Board, National
Congress of American Indians, National Association of EMT's, Emergency Nurses
Association and various other professional organizations, to gain a broader base
of support.
NNAEMSA Mission Statement
It is the mission of the National Native American EMS Association to support the efforts of all EMS, rescue, and Public Safety organizations who provide services on Native American and Alaska lands. It is clearly understood by the NNAEMSA that strong support of these agencies will result in significant improvements in the quality of patient care to all people within each EMS service district. The provision of the highest quality services to Native American and non-Native American people alike is the highest priority of the members and the officers of the National Native American Emergency Medical Services Association. To this end, the National Native American EMS Association will provide the following services:
A yearly education conference, which will address EMS issues which are of primary importance to Native American people.
A forum, in which members can openly discuss any EMS, rescue, or Public Safety issues.
A communications medium utilizing modern telecommunications technology to connect members with the organization leadership, each other and experts in Emergency Services.
A voting block to represent the views of the members to government leaders and funding agencies.
Strong advocacy for the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Indian Health Service EMS assessment completed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in July of 1993.
Coordination with Injury Prevention experts and IHS specialists to bolster ongoing Injury Prevention efforts currently taking place through EMS programs.