To establish an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agency in the District of Columbia, prospective applicants must go through several steps and collaborate with experts to navigate the procedure. This involves teamwork, sufficient time, detailed preparation, and dedication to deliver high-quality EMS services to the community. It's critical for prospective EMS agencies to closely coordinate with knowledgeable individuals, such as lawyers, certification experts, business advisors, and health department officers to ensure they meet all obligations and successfully create a compliant and efficient EMS agency.

The initial step involves acquiring a Certificate of Need (CON) from the State Health Planning and Development Agency (SHPDA). This certification is mandatory for anyone planning to initiate a new health service or needing to make a capital investment to secure a medical/health asset in the District.

The second step entails informing the EMS program of your application plans at [email protected] once you have the CON. During this stage, you will discuss your EMS agency application with the program and address any queries you might have. A program professional will also be designated to monitor your application's status.

The third step obligates you to send your application packet to the EMS program via email at [email protected].

The fourth step entails a preliminary audit of your EMS agency by the EMS program. This is generally a full day audit at your principal business site for your impending DC operations.

After successful fulfillment of these phases, applicants will be accredited as a District of Columbia EMS agency. For any questions about this procedure, you can reach out at [email protected].