This document is an FAQ document to agency questions about the difference between the name as filed with the Department of State and a Doing Business As (DBA) for EMS agency licensure.
In 2015, Act 15 required EMS providers, both paid and volunteer, to have background completed every 5 years. The required background checks include a Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check, Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, and Federal Bureau of Investigation Criminal Background Check through the Department of Human Services.
The Voluntary Rescue Recognition Program (VRSR) is a joint program between the Office of the State Fire Commissioner and the Department of Health Bureau of Emergency Medical Services. The program recognizing emergency services that can safely and efficiently perform rescue operations and met the standards as established by the two agencies to obtain VRSR.
All providers certified at or above the AEMT level are required to have ALS skills verifications completed by the EMS agency's medical director. The skills verification must be completed initially and every 12 months. The EMS agency is responsible for maintaining the verification records for seven years.