Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Resources

NYS EMSC Products

New York Bureau of EMS Policy Statement 15-03 Recommended Pediatric Equipment for Certified EMS Response Vehicles

National Equipment List for Emergency Ground Ambulances

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has co-authored a joint policy statement, " Equipment for Ground Ambulances " along with 6 other National Associations (American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS-COT), American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), Emergency Nurses Association (ENA), National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP), Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) and National Association of State EMS Officials (NASEMSO))

This list of pediatric equipment for Ground Ambulances has been approved and endorsed by New York's State EMS Council (SEMSCO), State Emergency Medical Advisory Committee (SEMAC) and the EMS for Children Advisory Committee (EMSCAC) for all certified EMS agencies in New York.

Safe Transport of Children in Ground Ambulances

AAP Releases Policy Statement: Consent for Emergency Medical Services for Children and Adolescents.

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released the policy statement Consent for Emergency Medical Services for Children and Adolescents. The purpose of the statement is to provide guidance in those situations in which parental consent is not readily available, in which parental consent is not necessary, or in which parental refusal of consent places a child at risk of significant harm.

Emergency Preparedness

The purpose of this 'toolkit' is to provide guidance to hospitals throughout New York State in preparing their own unique emergency disaster plan. It is especially useful to the hospitals that do not routinely care for pediatric, newborn or obstetric patients. The 'toolkit' provides an outline for roles and actions of hospital personnel, volunteers, families and the community during an emergency and guides hospital emergency planning to ensure the pediatric and obstetric population will be well cared for during a mass casualty event.

Injury Prevention

EMSC Innovation & Improvement Center

The EIIC is focused on improving outcomes for children in emergency situations by using improvement science as the basis for collaborative efforts to address known gaps in the US healthcare system. EMSC IIC receives federal funding from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration's Maternal and Child Health Bureau, to work in partnership with States, communities, medical institutions, public-private partners, and families to enhance the capability and capacity of EMS systems to manage the emergency medical needs of children in the areas of prevention, pre-hospital EMS care, hospital-based care, rehabilitation and re-entry of the child into the community.

Safe Kids

AAP/ACEP/ENA Guidelines on Care of Children in the Emergency Department

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released the AAP/American College of Emergency Physicians/Emergency Nurses Association joint policy statement "Guidelines for Care of Children in the Emergency Department". Endorsed by 22 other national organizations this statement offers recommendations for essential equipment, medications, personnel training, and key policies necessary for optimal pediatric emergency care. It also offers recommendations that should promote improved hospital readiness for children in disasters. Most children with emergency medical conditions or traumatic injuries are seen in community hospitals; therefore, all hospital emergency departments must be ready to care for children of all ages and in any situation.

Guidelines for Care of Children in the ED Checklist

The Guidelines for the Care of Children in the Emergency Department "checklist" was created by the EMSC National Resource Center to accompany the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the Americn College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), and the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) 2009 joint policy statement "Guidelines for Care of Children in the Emergency Department," allowing hospitals to assess whether their emergency departments are prepared to care for children. The checklist was developed in collaboraton with AAP, ACEP and ENA. The original AAP, ACEP, and ENA joint policy statement can be found online at:

Handoffs: Transitions of Care for Children in the Emergency Department - AAP Policy Statement

An AAP policy statement authored by the Committee on Pediatric Emergency Medicine titled “Handoffs: Transitions of Care for Children in the Emergency Department” was released in the e-pages of Pediatrics in October 2016. The statement is joint with the American College of Emergency Physicians and the Emergency Nurses Association. The rationale for structuring transitions of care (ToCs), specifically those related to the care of children in the emergency setting, and a description of identified strategies are presented, along with resources for educating health care providers on ToCs.

Standardization of Inpatient Handoff Communication – AAP Policy Statement

A policy statement from the Committee on Hospital Care from the American Academy of Pediatrics entitled, “Standardization of Inpatient Handoff Communication” was released in November 2016. Handoff communication is identified as an integral part of hospital care. Throughout medical communities, inadequate handoff communication is being highlighted as a significant risk to patients. The complexity of hospitals and the number of providers involved in the care of hospitalized patients place inpatients at high risk of communication lapses. This miscommunication and the potential resulting harm make effective handoffs more critical than ever. Although hospitalized patients are being exposed to many handoffs each day, this report is limited to describing the best handoff practices between providers at the time of shift change.

Child Abuse and Maltreatment

EMTs were added to the list of mandated reporters of suspected cases of child abuse and maltreatment in February 1, 2002. While EMTs are not specifically required to obtain training in child abuse and maltreatment, the Bureau of EMS EMSC Program has been able to develop and identify training options to assist EMS providers in carrying out their mandated reporter responsibilities.

Child Abuse Training

Mandated Reporter Training From the NYS Office of Children and Family Services

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services Mandated Reporter Training is available online. This training is fully narrated and interactive, the two-hour Self-Directed Online Mandated Reporter Training saves your progress as you complete each 10-15 minute section and allows you up to 30 days to complete upon registering. This training meets the New York State Education Department's mandatory requirements for training in child abuse identification and reporting.

  • Click here for no-cost online Mandated Reporter Training in child abuse and neglect/maltreatment identification.