Page 15 - InCommand Volume 31

• HOUSE BILL 598 – Representative Gil Blair, D-Mineral Ridge and Representative Michael O’Brien, D-Warren
• Allows EMS (all levels) to work in a hospital as long as they are under
the direct supervision of a physician/doctor, or a physician’s assistant or registered nurse designated by the physician
• HOUSE BILL 600 – Representative Gil Blair, D-Mineral Ridge and Representative Michael O’Brien, D-Warren
• Permits someone with a CDL to drive an ambulance during the COVID
crisis
• HOUSE BILL 608 – Representative Jeffrey Crossman, D-Parma
• Allows anyone who is a captain or higher to administer a required licensing
or recertification test for a firefighter to perform their duties
The OFCA Legislative Committee has vetted these proposals, and while the legislative process was not able to pass any of these quickly enough to be utilized in our response during the past several months, we are committed to monitoring these bills to determine their efficacy for future pandemic responses.
One policy that we were able to lend OFCA’s support to that did impact Ohio’s response was the ODH guidance that was released advising local health commissions and boards of health to share COVID-19 positive test results with first responders. This was a crucial tool to help our departments in their response because they were able to quickly contact trace and reduce the potential spread within departments.
We want to thank all the OFCA members who have helped shape our organization’s response to this crisis. We encourage you to continue providing thoughts and feedback to the Legislative Committee, or any other pertinent committee, as our state begins enacting change for future pandemic responses.
The legislature has transitioned back to business as usual, or what has become usual in the age of Coronavirus. As a result, our Legislative Committee has begun turning its attention back to other legislation not pertaining to the pandemic response. While it may have been shifted to the backburner during the shutdown, we are now reengaging on the issues most important to OFCA such as fireworks and PTSD.
Just prior to the COVID-19 state of emergency, Representatives Niraj Antani (R – Miamisburg) and George Lang (R – West Chester Township) introduced a new bill for providing PTSD coverage without an accompanying physical injury. This newest proposal would be funded from a separate fund under the supervision of the Director of the Department of Public Safety rather than BWC. Public employers would pay a premium to this fund annually, and the DPS Director would be responsible for paying claims and keeping the fund solvent.
OFCA continues to pursue PTSD policy that would not just be a funding mechanism for PTSD claims, but would also provide the diagnostic and treatment support needed. During the House deliberations for Representative Patton’s (R –
JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020 • www.ohiofirechiefs.org I n C o m m a n d 15