(1) There is hereby created an emergency medical services and trauma care steering committee composed of representatives of individuals knowledgeable in emergency medical services and trauma care, including emergency medical providers such as physicians, nurses, hospital personnel, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, ambulance services, a member of the emergency medical services licensing and certification advisory committee, local government officials, state officials, consumers, and persons affiliated professionally with health science schools. The secretary shall appoint members of the steering committee. Members shall be appointed for a period of three years. The department shall provide administrative support to the committee. All appointive members of the committee, in the performance of their duties, may be entitled to receive travel expenses as provided in RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060. The secretary may remove members from the committee who have three unexcused absences from committee meetings. The secretary shall fill any vacancies of the committee in a timely manner. The terms of those members representing the same field shall not expire at the same time.

The committee shall elect a chair and a vice chair whose terms of office shall be for one year each. The chair shall be ineligible for reelection after serving four consecutive terms.

The committee shall meet on call by the secretary or the chair.

(2) The emergency medical services and trauma care steering committee shall:

(a) Advise the department regarding emergency medical services and trauma care needs throughout the state.

(b) Review the regional emergency medical services and trauma care plans and recommend changes to the department before the department adopts the plans.

(c) Review proposed departmental rules for emergency medical services and trauma care.

(d) Recommend modifications in rules regarding emergency medical services and trauma care.

Effective date—2011 1st sp.s. c 21: See note following RCW 72.23.025.