Emergency Medical Services

1. Emergency Medical Services Created by Curt Harrell & Jesse Kuzy for

2. What is EMS? • Emergency Medical Service is emergency medical care that consists of: • Agencies and organizations (both private and public) • Communications and transportation networks • Trauma systems, hospitals, trauma centers, specialty care centers, and rehabilitation facilities • Highly trained professionals http://ashtabulacountyemscouncil.org/ems3.jpg

3. What do EMS Providers Do? • Services that EMS provides include: • Stabilizing patients • Providing on-site care • Coordinating with law enforcement agencies, fire departments and other public safety organizations to provide quick, intelligent responses to emergency situations. http://www.mcconnellsburgfire.org/Feb2011%20008.jpg

4. What do EMS Providers Do? • Services that EMS provides include: • Evacuating the patient to a hospital or other facility for advanced care • Providing care while in transit http://www.acep.org/uploadedImages/ACEP/Bookstore_and_Publications/ACEP_News/2009-06/helicopter_ems.jpg?n=4875

5. The Star of Life • The Star of Life is a symbol for EMS, designed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. • Its six points represent the six functions of EMS: • Detection • Reporting • Response • On-Scene Care • Care in Transit • Transfer to Definitive Care

6. 911 • Many emergency medical services are initiated by a 911 call being placed. • When someone calls 911, their call is routed to a Public Safety Answering Point. These centers can connect the caller to needed emergency services or, in more severe circumstances, contact the services directly and assist in coordinating emergency response.

7. Staffing • With the exception of urban areas, most EMS is provided by volunteers. • In recent years, however, advances in medical technology and changes in the EMS system have made EMS an increasingly professional field. http://www.summitems.org/images/members2001.jpg

8. Staffing • Emergency Medical Responders are frequently volunteers and render very basic first aid, often as an assistant to an EMT. • Emergency Medical Technicians, or EMTs, are trained and certified to provide emergency care according to specific protocols. http://www.mahwahambco1.org/Images/EMT%20Patch%20200.jpg

9. What Are Ambulances • Ambulances are specially designed vehicles for providing care on-site and en route to a hospital. • Ambulances are regulated by the federal government and are often marked with the Star of Life to help the public recognize them quickly. http://www.co.prince-edward.va.us/images/NEWS_Pamplin%20Vol%20Fire%20EMS%20Ambulance%2001.jpg

10. Ambulances • Much EMS is conducted from or within ambulances • Ambulances may be supported by response cars, smaller vehicles that cannot transport patients that get medical providers to the scene as soon as possible. http://www.houstontx.gov/fire/divisions/images/ems2.jpg

11. Air Ambulance • Air Ambulances are specially-equipped helicopters that evacuate patients to hospitals when: • The terrain is too rough for an ambulance • The patient is far from a hospital • The patient’s condition is critical and an ambulance would not be fast enough http://nmems.org/AirAmbulance/Air%20am2.jpg

12. Summary • What services is does EMS do? • Provides on site and in transit patient care • Evacuation to hospital or other facility • What is the Star of Life and what does it represent? • Symbol for EMS • Detection, Reporting, Response, On-Scene Care, Care in Transit, and Transfer to Definitive Care • Importance of ambulances • Provide patient care while in transit to hospital or other facility • Air ambulances provide fast and more versatile patient transportation