Review and Approval of Service Zone Plans

(A) Regional EMS Council Review. Local jurisdictions shall submit service zone plans to their Regional EMS Council. Each local jurisdiction must be covered by a service zone plan approved in accordance with 105 CMR 170.530. (1) The Regional EMS Council shall review each service zone plan. The Council shall verify that all elements of 105 CMR 170.510 are addressed, and all local EMS and public safety resources are identified and optimally used in the operational plans. If the service zone plan meets these criteria, the Regional EMS Council shall recommend approval of the plan to the Department. (2) If the Regional EMS Council finds that a service zone plan has not adequately addressed all elements of 105 CMR 170.510, it shall return the plan to the local jurisdiction(s) with a letter identifying the deficiencies and notify the Department. The Council shall provide technical assistance to the local jurisdiction(s), as needed. After the plan’s revision, if the Regional EMS Council finds that the service zone plan continues to be deficient, the Council shall recommend to the Department that the plan be denied. (3) Within six months of the submission of a service zone plan to a Regional EMS Council, the Council shall forward its recommendation regarding that plan to the Department. (B) Department Review and Approval. The Department shall review all local service zone plans submitted by Regional EMS Councils. The Department shall assess each service zone plan in accordance with the elements of 105 CMR 170.510. The Department shall have ultimate authority to approve a service zone plan. It shall issue its decision to the local jurisdiction and the appropriate Regional EMS Council within six months of the plan’s submission to the Department.