NCRETAC — Clinical & Professional Standards Committee
HEMS Utilization & Performance Task Force
📅 Tuesday, June 9, 2026
🕐 2:00 – 3:00 PM Mountain
💻 Virtual Only — Microsoft Teams
Opening
▶ Call to Order — Jennifer Landis, BSN, RN, TCRN, EMT-P (ret.), Task Force Chair
▶ Introductions
▶ Public Comment
Section I
Standing Reports
Executive Director Report
Nick Nudell, PhD(c), MS, MPhil, NRP, WP-C — Executive Director
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- Regional EMS and trauma system updates
- State and federal policy developments affecting EMS and trauma
- NCRETAC organizational updates relevant to the Task Force
- Colorado RISE and RHTP coordination update
Task Force Chair Report
Jennifer Landis, BSN, RN, TCRN, EMT-P (ret.) — Task Force Chair
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- Task Force background and charge
- Relationship to Clinical and Professional Standards Committee
- Scope of work and expected timeline
Section II
Task Force Business
Sector Representative Elections
Electing two representatives per sector — one rural, one urban where applicable
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The Task Force elects two members to represent each sector. Where a sector spans both rural and urban providers, elections aim for one representative from each setting. For Non-Transporting Fire Departments and Law Enforcement, elections aim for one fire and one law enforcement representative.
Nomination and Election Process
- Members may self-nominate or nominate a colleague within their sector
- Submit nominations using the online form below or from the floor during this item
- Each sector elects its two representatives by vote of Task Force members
- Newly elected representatives are recognized and seated
Ground Ambulance
Two seats: one representative from a rural ground transport agency, one from an urban ground transport agency.
HEMS
Two seats: one representative from a rural helicopter EMS program or base, one from an urban helicopter EMS program or base.
9-1-1 Communications
Two seats: one representative from a rural PSAP or dispatch center, one from an urban PSAP or dispatch center.
Non-Transporting Fire & Law Enforcement
Two seats: one representative from a non-transporting fire department, one from a law enforcement agency.
Hospitals
Two seats: one representative from an urban-serving hospital (generally Level I or II trauma capability), one from a rural-serving hospital (generally Level III, IV, or critical access). Trauma center designation is not required to qualify.
Medical Directors
Two seats: one representative from a rural EMS medical director, one from an urban EMS medical director.
Adoption of Meeting Conduct Standards
Following elections, the Task Force formally adopts its meeting conduct standards governing all future meetings
Launch vs. Standby: Should HEMS Services Default to Launch?
Discussion Item 1 — Stakeholder Input Requested
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Some HEMS services default to a standby posture and wait for confirmation before launching, while others launch on initial activation and stand down if not needed. The Task Force will explore whether a regional default-to-launch model better serves patient outcomes across Northeast Colorado’s geography.
Action Before Next Meeting
Members are asked to take this question to their agencies and stakeholders and return with informed perspectives for discussion at the next meeting. No vote is taken today.
Public Comment — Following Discussion Item 1
Members of the public are invited to comment on the preceding discussion item. Comments are limited to three minutes per speaker. Direct comments to the Chair.
Single Method of Contact: Standardizing HEMS Activation
Discussion Item 2 — Stakeholder Input Requested
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Across the region, agencies activate HEMS through varying methods — direct radio contact, dispatch relay, phone, and others. The Task Force will examine whether establishing a single standardized method of contact for HEMS activation would improve speed, reduce friction, and support better patient outcomes.
Action Before Next Meeting
Members are asked to survey current activation methods used by their agencies and partners, and return with findings and perspectives for discussion at the next meeting. No vote is taken today.
Public Comment — Following Discussion Item 2
Members of the public are invited to comment on the preceding discussion item. Comments are limited to three minutes per speaker. Direct comments to the Chair.
Section III
Advisory Business & Look Ahead
Agenda Items for Future Meetings
Planning and priorities
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- Confirm agenda items for the next Task Force meeting
- Upcoming reporting obligations to the Clinical and Professional Standards Committee
- Next meeting date and format
About
HEMS Task Force Charter
Purpose
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The Helicopter EMS Utilization and Performance Task Force is established by NCRETAC to evaluate and improve the clinical utilization, request processes, data visibility, and performance monitoring of helicopter EMS services across the region.
This task force provides a collaborative forum for EMS agencies, medical directors, dispatch partners, trauma system stakeholders, and air medical programs to develop a shared understanding of regional HEMS utilization and identify opportunities for system improvement. The goal is consistent, clinically appropriate, and data-informed use of air medical resources in alignment with patient needs, geographic realities, and system capacity.
Scope of Work
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Key Focus Areas
- Evaluating current HEMS utilization patterns across the region
- Reviewing request and activation processes, including clinical indications, decision pathways, and interagency coordination
- Assessing available tracking mechanisms and data sources related to HEMS requests, responses, cancellations, and outcomes
Specific Tasks
- Reviewing regional policies, guidelines, and informal practices related to HEMS activation
- Examining variability in utilization and request processes across agencies or operational settings
- Identifying gaps in data availability, data quality, or performance reporting
- Developing recommendations to improve clinical decision support, documentation, tracking, and performance monitoring
- Promoting consistency, transparency, and shared understanding of best practices for helicopter EMS utilization
Potential Deliverables
If interest and perceived value exist among participants, the task force may also explore:
- A HEMS utilization framework describing clinical need, operational context, and system performance considerations
- A regional HEMS performance dashboard highlighting utilization patterns and operational indicators
- A HEMS request taxonomy to improve consistency in documenting the primary drivers of helicopter requests
- A regional HEMS utilization map illustrating request locations, transport destinations, and geographic access to care
- A decision-support matrix describing common clinical and operational factors considered when requesting helicopter transport
Authority
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- Authorized by the NCRETAC Board of Directors through the Clinical and Professional Standards Committee
- Makes recommendations to the Clinical and Professional Standards Committee regarding focus areas and proposed improvements to regional practice, data tracking, or system performance monitoring
- The Committee may advance recommendations to the Board for consideration as appropriate
- Does not have authority to enter into contracts or make decisions on behalf of NCRETAC without prior Board approval
Participation
Get Involved with the HEMS Task Force
- Physicians, air medical providers, EMS agencies, and hospital partners across Northeast Colorado are encouraged to participate
- The Task Force meets as needed and benefits from broad regional representation across all six sectors
- Direct influence on regional air medical utilization standards, clinical quality, and system performance
Meeting Conduct & Participation
Parliamentary Authority
Meetings are conducted under Robert’s Rules of Order, except where NCRETAC Bylaws or adopted policies provide otherwise.
Public Comment
Public comment periods are designated on the agenda. Speakers are limited to three minutes. Comments should be directed to the Chair.
Conduct
Diversity of thoughts, lived experiences, and perspectives are valued here. Disruptive, rude, or vulgar behavior is not appropriate and may result in removal from the meeting.
▶ Adjourn
