LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) -- EMTs, firefighters and paramedics from across the state will get together in Hot Springs for an annual conference.
The EMS Conference at the Hot Springs Convention Center will host competitions and speakers. Also they will pay tribute to fallen EMS professionals.
The blood is fake, but the scenario is real. In this training exercise paramedics from Vital Link tell judges how they would treat this accident. This is just one incident EMS deals with daily and as health care changes, EMS Association President Dwayne Aalseth says so do their needs.
"I think the biggest thing we have to look at as far as our profession is the battle to keep the funding going."
Aalseth says every year Medicaid and Medicare cutbacks are discussed during the legislative session. A hit ambulance services say they can't afford.
"If funding gets cut you might see an area that once had five ambulances get cut back to three."
Now, with the state-wide trauma system online, EMS legislative liaison, Keith Edmonds, says he hopes lawmakers recognize the funds needed to maintain such a high level of care.
"With the new trauma system being developed in Arkansas we want to ensure that our Legeslative staff doesn't forget our first line of defense on trauma which is our EMS professionals."
"With the new trauma system being developed in Arkansas we want to ensure that our Legeslative staff doesn't forget our first line of defense on trauma which is our EMS professionals."
Aalseth says they need all tools to do their job efficiently.
"It's like a big puzzle and you need every piece of the puzzle to save lives."
EMS officials say a big part of that puzzle comes from reimbursements paid out by the state's Medicare program.
"It's tough for our ambulance services to maintain a healthy budget to ensure their communities have the ambulances that will respond."
The group will hear from Senator Randy Laverty on Friday morning.