The ECCC may be less than a year old, but the center is already taking action. It immediately established the Council on Emergency Care (CEMC), a strategic body whose goal is to bring together federal representatives who are directly responsible for agency initiatives aimed at addressing emergency care. In bringing these individuals to the table, the ECCC and CEMC have already begun the primary tasks of increasing transparency, avoiding duplication of efforts, and promoting strategic partnerships throughout the U.S. government.

The ECCC also reaches out to fellow emergency care agencies and organizations, recently completing an H1N1-related project with ACEP.

“When it became clear that H1N1 was going to need some response and preparedness in advance of a potentially large outbreak, we developed a contract agreement and a collaboration that led to some H1N1 guidance and a list of FAQs that ACEP put together,” said Dr. Handrigan. “It was a great example of how the ECCC can partner with the emergency community to accomplish our common goals.”

The ECCC and CEMC are moving forward with ambitious agendas, focusing on areas such as surge capacity, regionalized emergency care services, and health care reform.

Dr. Kellermann has sat in on several CEMC meetings. “I’ve been incredibly impressed, both at the caliber of people in the room and the fact that I’m not seeing the kind of game-playing and personal agendas that one normally sees occur within federal agencies.

“People are far more concerned with doing the right thing and making progress, and they all recognize that none of them have the resources to do the job themselves, but that collectively they can make changes happen.”

Dr. Kellermann has high hopes for what the ECCC can accomplish.

“Having been involved in emergency care for 25 years, I think the ECCC is the most significant development on a national level regarding improving and advancing emergency care in the U.S. since the Emergency Medical Services Systems Act of 1973,” he said.

There is much that ACEP members can do to help ensure the ECCC’s future success.

“The most important thing ACEP members need to do right now is not take this new agency for granted,” said Dr. Kellermann.

“This is an embryonic program that can potentially have enormous impact on our ability to care for patients,” he added. “ACEP members need to encourage their elected officials, including members of Congress, to learn about this agency, its important mission, and why it deserves their support.