First, the bill removes restrictions which prevent municipal first responders from engaging in emergency medical transportation of patients. Second, it explicitly provides those first responders the authority to engage in emergency transportation, when necessary. Third, the bill requires an emergency medical transportation license be granted to a first responder if: (1) the first responder is with a city fire department; and (2) the first responder meets training and standards criteria established by the Georgia Department of Health.  

The bill would assist municipalities in addressing a critical public safety need for efficient EMS response times.