ECCC Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the ECCC?
2. When and why was the ECCC established?
3. Who does the ECCC serve?
4. What is the CEMC?
5. What is “The Emergency Care Enterprise?”
6. What kind of staff makes up the ECCC?
7. How do I contact the ECCC?

1. What is the ECCC?
The Emergency Care Coordination Center, (ECCC) is the lead entity within the US Government for the coordination of federal activities relating to the delivery of in-hospital emergency care.

2. When and why was the ECCC established?
The ECCC was formally established on January 8, 2009, by Michael O. Leavitt, Secretary of Health and Human Services, in response to Homeland Security Presidential Directive #21, which was signed by President George W. Bush on October 18, 2007. The ECCC was established to lead an enterprise to promote and fund research in emergency medicine and trauma health care; promote regional partnerships and more effective emergency medical systems in order to enhance appropriate triage, distribution, and care of routine community patients; promote local, regional, and State emergency medical systems’ preparedness for and response to public health events.

3. Who does the ECCC serve?
The ECCC is the principal coordination and communications hub for Federal Departments and Agencies engaged in activities related to Emergency Care to promote collaboration, joint strategies, and cohesive policies. It also serves as the focal point for state, tribal, regional, and the private sector Stakeholder engagement.

4. What is the CEMC?
The ECCC, through multi-level Federal collaboration, has created the Council on Emergency Medical Care (CEMC), a coalition comprised of subject-matter experts and policy makers from organizations across the USG. It provides both strategic and operational support to the efforts of the ECCC, providing policy level guidance and facilitating Departmental and Agency collaboration. The CEMC is charged with informing on the development of cohesive policies across the USG to promote collaboration and coordination of ongoing efforts to improve the nation's emergency medical care.

5. What is “The Emergency Care Enterprise?”
Working together in close cooperation with the Federal Interagency Committee on Emergency Medical Services, (FICEMS), the Emergency Care Enterprise describes the entire spectrum of emergency care from pre-hospital EMS activation and transportation through in-hospital emergency care services.

6. What kind of staff makes up the ECCC?
The ECCC is lead by practicing emergency room physicians. This clinical expertise is supported by staff with over twenty years of public health, public policy, and healthcare administration and management backgrounds, as well as experience in public health preparedness, healthcare quality, public policy, and research methodology.

7. How do I contact the ECCC?
ECCC staff members can most easily be reached by email at ECCC@hhs.gov.