Alabama commission will study rural emergency and fire services

The commission studies rural emergency medical services and volunteer fire departments, then recommends ways to strengthen them. The review covers rural ambulance services, emergency medical providers, and volunteer fire departments, including their role in Alabama's rural health care system. The commission may review practices from other states and hear from emergency providers, hospitals, local governments, schools, and state agencies. The chair must call the first meeting within 90 days after passage. The commission must report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature by November 1, 2026, when it dissolves.

State agencies must provide available information the commission reasonably needs when it requests it; the commission may also request information from other groups. The duty applies to Alabama state departments, boards, bureaus, commissions, and agencies. Other possible sources include emergency medical providers, fire departments, hospitals, health care providers, and local governments. Agency information must be available and reasonably necessary for the commission's work. Requests to other groups may be made as needed to complete that work. These provisions apply during the commission's work.