REPLICA

Talking Points and FAQs

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The IAFF believes Emergency Medical Services (EMS) should be locally driven and REPLICA reduces the control over patient care. Below are talking points and additional frequently asked questions and information for your review.

• This legislation is a threat to jobs and wages. It creates a situation that benefits large for-profit ambulance companies by allowing their workforce to easily transverse state borders.
• It disadvantages low-wage EMS workers by increasing their workload and travel distances without the benefits of breaks.
• It reduces the need for for-profit EMS companies to create jobs because they can reroute resources across state lines to fill open shifts rather than hire personnel.
• For EMS workers that are allowed to migrate, what protections are in place to ensure that the state receives the taxable revenue it should receive if a worker is assigned to a state for a day or more?
• The REPLICA commission seeks funding from states for its operations but there is no oversight, no duly elected representatives, and no public comment guaranteed by citizens of states within the compact. The current commission has stated it will ensure transparency; the law is written to restrict it. Subsequent commissions could opt out and restrict public comment.
• The fee as outlined in Section 10 E. Financing subsection 3: “The Commission may levy on and collect an annual assessment from each member state or impose fees on other parties to cover the cost of the operations and activities of the Commission and its staff…” There will be no ability for a member state to perform a financial audit on the Commission to ensure that state tax dollars are being spent responsibly.
• Since the Compact is a non-governmental entity, they are NOT bound by open records request under the Freedom of Information Act.
• States lose control to regulate quality service. A state may not know what expertise or qualifications of personnel coming in from another Compact state.
• Background Check Issues:
  • • States have different laws; a person may have a misdemeanor in one state then through the Compact they are allowed into another state to operate where that same crime is a felony.
    • The FBI recognizes governmental entities to perform background checks. Since the Compact is not a governmental agency, background checks may be subpar.
    • It is unclear who pays for the background checks.
• Many topics proposed in the legislation are already provided by many states.
• Because it potentially reduces costs of large for-profit companies, it creates a situation where private services could bring in out-of-state scab labor and underbid fire departments.
• There is a potential for the Compact to sell the personal information of EMS workers in participating states to fund the operations of the organization.

What to Look Out For

• When the legislation is proposed, the proponents will likely bring military personnel to push the legislation stating it will make it easier for military personnel to transition from active duty.
  The IAFF wholeheartedly supports its veterans and supports legislation to expedite their certifications in EMS. It does not have to be in this legislation, and we support a stand-alone reciprocity bill for veterans.

• The Compact has a statement for prospective states to join that “The following model legislation language must be enacted by a state to join the EMS Compact, and the language must be consistent in each state that joins the Compact. No substantive changes should be made to the model language.”
  The IAFF suggests cooperating with those pushing the EMS Compact and offer solutions and negotiate the legislation by offering numerous amendments, i.e., the military reciprocity section.

• Proponents may cite examples that the Compact works due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  The Compact had no bearing of EMS operations due to the state of emergency declaration. In fact, the worker shortage that many states see today shows that the Compact may not be effective and the problems with the legislation outweigh the benefits.

Mapping REPLICA

Twenty-one states have enacted and approved the Recognition of EMS Personnel Licensure Interstate CompAct (REPLICA). This legislation negatively affects EMS jobs and wages. REPLICA poses a threat to IAFF affiliates everywhere and compromises the quality of care to the communities they serve.

Sample Legislation to Watch Out For

REPLICA legislation negatively affects EMS jobs and wages. REPLICA poses a threat to IAFF affiliates everywhere and compromises the quality of care to the communities we serve.

Sample Legislation