2002                                         EXECUTIVE ORDERS

prepare policies and procedures designed to provide for comprehensive State
planning for health services, including the facilities and persons required for the
provision of such services; and

WHEREAS, There exists a pressing need throughout the State of Maryland to
provide an Emergency Medical System whereby critically ill and injured
patients may be transported expeditiously to the nearest health institution
equipped to treat the particular needs of the patient; and

WHEREAS, Such a system involves training of ambulance personnel; utilization
of air and surface ambulances, operation and maintenance of central facilities
for the treatment of certain types of illnesses: operation and maintenance of an
information and communication system whereby the particular needs of the
patient may be determined at the earliest possible time and the patient
transported to the nearest facility equipped to care for the needs of the patient;
and there needs to be over-all administration of this system; and

WHEREAS, The development of such a system requires the close cooperation of
the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the Department of
Transportation, the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, and
other State Departments and agencies, and pursuant to Article 41, Section
59C(e) the Governor is specifically authorized to direct any State officer or
agency to cooperate with the State Comprehensive Health Planning Agency;
and

WHEREAS, The State Comprehensive Health Planning Agency has recommended
a plan whereby an Emergency Medical System shall be established under the
administrative supervision of the Secretary of the Department of Health and
Mental Hygiene and utilizing the personnel, resources, and facilities of other
State departments and agencies and private and public health care facilities
under the jurisdiction of the State Comprehensive Health Planning Agency;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, MARVIN MANDEL, BY VIRTUE OF THE
AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME AS GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF
MARYLAND, ON THIS DATE, HEREBY PROMULGATE THE
FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE ORDER:

1.  A State Emergency Medical System is hereby established, to be implemented
in accordance with this Executive Order.

2.   The Division of Emergency Medical Service is created within the State
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The Division shall be headed by a
Director of Emergency Medical Services appointed by the Governor, with the
advice of the Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene, said Director to be
responsible for the implementation, administration, and operation of the
Emergency Medical System and to report directly to the Secretary of Health and
Mental Hygiene. The Division shall receive and disburse all federal and State
funds appropriated to and by the State for the Emergency Medical System.

3.  The State shall be divided into not more than five emergency medical service
regions, which shall be interconnected by a State-wide emergency medical
communications system.

4.   The Director of Emergency Medical Services shall promptly develop a
program for: