((a)) ** In general** The Secretary shall, with respect to trauma care—

((1)) conduct and support research, training, evaluations, and demonstration projects;

((2)) foster the development of appropriate, modern systems of such care through the sharing of information among agencies and individuals involved in the study and provision of such care;

((3)) collect, compile, analyze, and disseminate information on the achievements of, and problems experienced by, State and local agencies and private entities in providing trauma care and emergency medical services and, in so doing, give special consideration to the unique needs of rural areas and medically underserved areas;

((4)) provide to State and local agencies technical assistance to enhance each State’s capability to develop, implement, and sustain the trauma care component of each State’s plan for the provision of emergency medical services; and

((5)) promote the collection and categorization of trauma data in a consistent and standardized manner.

((b)) ** Trauma care readiness and coordination** The Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, shall support the efforts of States and consortia of States to coordinate and improve emergency medical services and trauma care during a public health emergency declared by the Secretary pursuant to or a major disaster or emergency declared by the President under section 5170 or 5191, respectively, of this title. Such support may include—

((1)) developing, issuing, and updating guidance, as appropriate, to support the coordinated medical triage and evacuation to appropriate medical institutions based on patient medical need, taking into account regionalized systems of care;

((2)) disseminating, as appropriate, information on evidence-based or evidence-informed trauma care practices, taking into consideration emergency medical services and trauma care systems, including such practices identified through activities conducted under subsection (a) and which may include the identification and dissemination of performance metrics, as applicable and appropriate; and

((3)) other activities, as appropriate, to optimize a coordinated and flexible approach to the emergency response and medical surge capacity of hospitals, other health care facilities, critical care, and emergency medical systems.

((c)) ** Grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts** The Secretary may make grants, and enter into cooperative agreements and contracts, for the purpose of carrying out subsection (a).