Councilmember Carol Schwartz
A BILL IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Councilmember Carol Schwartz introduced the following bill, which was
referred to the Committee on the Judiciary with comments from the Committee on Government
Operations.
To establish the District of Columbia Emergency Medical Services Agency as
a separate administrative unit within the executive office of the Mayor.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act may be cited as
the "District of Columbia Emergency Medical Services Agency Establishment Act of
2001.".
Sec. 2. Establishment of the District of Columbia Emergency Medical Services Agency.
(a) Pursuant to section 404(b) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved
December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 787; D.C. Code § 1-227(b)), the Council hereby establishes
the District of Columbia Emergency Medical Services Agency ("Agency") as a
separate administrative unit within the executive office of the Mayor.
(b) The District of Columbia Emergency Ambulance Service established by Mayor’s Order
81-233(a), effective November 9, 1981, as a division of the Fire Department, shall be
abolished at the completion of the transfer of functions authorized by subsection (c) of
this section.
(c) All of the functions related to the powers, duties, operations, and administration
of the District of Columbia Emergency Ambulance Service shall be transferred to the Agency
within 90 days of the effective date of this act.
(d) All property, assets, records, obligations, and unexpended balances of
appropriations, allocations, and other funds available or to be made available relating to
the powers, duties, functions, operations, and administration of the District of Columbia
Emergency Ambulance Service shall be transferred to the Agency within 90 days of the
effective date of this act.
(e) (1) All employees of the District of Columbia Emergency Ambulance Service shall be
transferred to the Agency and shall continue to be employees of the District of Columbia
government.
(2) The transferred employees shall continue to be eligible for benefits regarding
retirement, workers disability compensation, leave, residency requirements, and labor
union arrangements and agreements as when they were employees of the Fire Department.
Sec. 3. Duties.
The Agency shall provide emergency ambulance treatment and transportation on demand,
and shall operate medic units to provide advanced life support in cases of severe illness,
injury, or major trauma.
Sec. 4. Director.
(a) The Agency shall be headed by a Director appointed by the Mayor with the advise and
consent of the Council, in accordance with section 2 of the Confirmation Act of 1978,
effective March 3, 1979 (D.C. Law 2-142; D.C. Code §1-633.7).
(b) Until the Director of the Agency is appointed and confirmed pursuant to subsection
(a) of this section, the Fire Chief shall continue to govern the Agency consistent with
the provisions of this act.
(c) The Director shall, subject to the supervision and direction of the Mayor:
(1) Administer, manage, and direct the affairs and activities of the Agency;
(2) Supervise the staff of the Agency; and
(3) Make all final personnel decisions, and employ other assistants and employees as
necessary.
(d) For the purposes of this act, the term:
(1) "Agency" means the District of Columbia Emergency Medical Services
Agency.
(2) "Director" means the Director of the District of Columbia emergency
Medical Services Agency.
Sec. 5. Conforming amendment.
Section 502 of the Revenue Act for Fiscal Year 1978, effective April 19, 1977 (D.C. Law
1-124; D.C. Code §4-316) is amended is amended by striking the phrase "Fire
Department" and inserting the phrase "District of Columbia Emergency Medical
Services Agency" in its place.
Sec. 6. Fiscal impact statement.
The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal
impact statement required by section 602(c)(3) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act,
approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Code §1-233(c)(3)).
Sec. 7. Effective date.
This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by
the Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), approval by the Financial
Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority as provided in section 203(a) of the
District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Act of 1995,
approved April 17, 1995 (109 Stat. 116: D.C. Code §47-392.3(a)), a 30-day period of
Congressional review as provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home
Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Code §1-233(c)(1)), and
publication in the District of Columbia Register.