BACKGROUND INFORMATION

How the EMS System got started...

1870 French began to transport wounded soldiers away from the seen of battle to be cared for by physicians (this is the earliest documented EMS System)

During the Civil War Clara Barton began a service for the wounded, later she helped establish the American Red Cross.

Non-military ambulance services began in American cities in the early 1900's.

1960 the development of the modern EMS began

1966 the National Highway Safety Act charged the USDOT with developing EMS standards and helping the states to upgrade the quality of their prehospital emergency care.

1970 the National Registry of EMT's was founded to establish professional standards.

1973 congress passed the National EMS Systems Act to improve EMS Systems across the U.S.

The symbol for EMT's is the "Star of Life". Each of the 6 points on the "Star of Life" represents the 6 aspects of the EMS System, and the capital "R" in the center means registered certification. The staff on the star represents Medicine and Healing. In the Bible you will find a reference for the "Star of Life" in Numbers 21:8-9.

Detection

Reporting

Response

On Scene Care

Care in Transit

Transfer to Definitive Care

As an EMT there are 4 levels of certification that you can have, but you can chose just one if that is what you want to do. Listed below are the 4 levels of certification and a description of each one.

FIRST RESPONDER

The First Responder is trained to perform general medical assessment and to provide emergency care such as: bleeding control, spinal stabilization, and CPR. The first person to arrive on the scene. The First Responders job is to stabilize the patient until more advanced EMT's arrive.

EMT-BASIC (EMT-B)

As an EMT-B you can perform all the emergency procedures as a First Responder, but you can also restrain patients, and drive ambulances. As an EMT-B you can administer some medications like; glucose and oxygen, give Epi-pens.

EMT-INTERMEDIATE (EMT-I)

EMT-I are competent in advanced airway management, intravenous fluid (IV).

EMT-PARAMEDIC (EMT-P)

Paramedics can Intubate, start I.V's, start and monitor a ventilator, place N-G tubes, put in a foley cathoter, and administer medications.

Expanding your role as a Paramedic:

Critical Care Transport-Paramedics manage complicated interhospital transports typically from one intensive care unit to another (in specially equipped ambulances or aircraft designed to provide a higher level of care.

Tactical EMS-Paramedics accompany specially trained law enforcement officers on tactical operations such as hostage rescue, drug raids, and similar high-risk emergencies. The tactical Paramedic is a member of the operations team but is also trained to provide sophisticated, prolonged definitive patient care.

Industrial/Occupational EMS-The Paramedic is specially trained in occupational health and used to staff construction sites, oil rigs, and other facilities where unique skill is required.

PARAMEDIC ACTIVITIES

Last Updated: 11/22/2009 Created By: Ashley Webb