Maine EMS leaders back board reorganization to streamline statewide oversight

Will O’Neil, director of Maine Emergency Medical Services, and leaders from the Maine EMS stakeholder community testified in favor of LD 2128, which would reorganize the Maine EMS Board structure to align with recommendations from the Blue Ribbon Commission and the agency’s 2035 vision.

O’Neil said the change would reduce nonregional appointed members (from 12 to 5), preserve representation for dispatchers, EMS administrators, paramedics and technicians, and increase regional councils’ formal advisory role so local concerns feed into the state board. Supporters, including the Maine AMT Association and fire/EMS chiefs, said the reorganization will give the board clearer statutory focus to promulgate rules and provide system‑level oversight.

Witnesses described the reorganization as the second phase of a multi‑year reform: prior sessions separated investigative/adjudicatory duties and now the proposed changes aim to make the board’s executive functions more agile while maintaining channels for stakeholder input through regional advisory councils.

What’s next: Committee members asked clarifying questions about representation and language; no vote occurred at the hearing. The department indicated it will provide a visual of the new board structure and suggested technical edits (for example, clarifying municipal fire department administration representation) for work session consideration.