This chapter governs the organization of regional emergency medical services (EMS) councils pursuant to the general administrative authority of the EMS Board. In this chapter, the following term has the meaning indicated. Term Defined. “Regional EMS council (regional council)” means an EMS advisory body created by this subtitle. The State is organized in five regions to coordinate EMS activities. Region I consists of: Allegany County; and Garrett County. Region II consists of: Frederick County; and Washington County. Region III consists of: Baltimore City; Anne Arundel County; Baltimore County; Carroll County; Harford County; and Howard County. Region IV consists of: Caroline County; Cecil County; Dorchester County; Kent County; Queen Anne's County; Somerset County; Talbot County; Wicomico County; and Worchester County. Region V consists of: Calvert County; Charles County; Montgomery County; Prince George's County; and St. Mary's County. In each region, a regional EMS council shall advise MIEMSS and EMS operational programs in that region on matters concerning the delivery of emergency medical services. Each region shall appoint members to serve on its regional EMS council according to the by-laws of the regional council. The members shall include representatives in the region from: Jurisdictional EMS operational programs; Commercial ambulance services; Local governments; Public safety answering points; Hospital administration; Dispatch centers; and The following providers: Volunteer EMS; Career EMS; Medical directors; and Nurses. Each regional EMS council shall: Advise MIEMSS on matters of policy, protocols, rules, and regulations; Provide a representative to the State Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council and specified subcommittees formed by MIEMSS; Recommend to the State EMS Medical Director candidates for regional medical director; Recommend to the Associate State EMS Medical Director for Pediatrics candidates for associate regional medical director for pediatrics; Solicit and prioritize expressions of interest for highway safety grants awarded by the federal or State government; Advise the following on matters concerning emergency medical services: State government; Local governments; and EMS operational programs; Serve as a forum for coordinating EMS activities among EMS operational programs in the region; and Establish interjurisdictional quality assurance and quality improvement programs. MIEMSS shall provide regional EMS councils: Administrative and programmatic support; Assistance in implementing projects sponsored by MIEMSS and the regional councils; Regular communications about State EMS activities; Technical assistance in developing the following materials related to the delivery of emergency medical services: Guidelines; Models; Procedures; Manuals; and Summary reports on EMS activities in each region. Each regional EMS council shall be MIEMSS' primary advisory body for its region. MIEMSS is not required to accept or implement any regional EMS council recommendation. Education Article, §13-509, Annotated Code of Maryland Effective date: July 1, 2002 (29:12 Md. R. 932)