What is EMS?
The Emergency Medical Service (EMS) consist of privately owned, military, and government organizations that provide emergency medical care in the event of an emergency. Most EMS systems are dispatched by a 911 dispatch center then respond to the area of where the emergency is via ambulance. EMS does more than just pick up a sick person and drive to the hospital. EMS personnel are highly trained individuals that provide basic and advanced life support treatments on the scene of the incident and while on the way to the hospital. The EMS system includes multiple certification levels that consist of EMR, EMT, AEMT, and Paramedic. Below you can find a brief description of each certificate level of EMS.
EMR
Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) is the person usually first on scene. The EMR is not always EMS personnel. An EMR may be a police officer, firefighter, or someone of the general public that is certified. An EMR is trained in basic life support measures which includes basic airway maneuvers, bleeding control, and multiple other life saving measures.
EMT
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) provides basic-level life saving measures. EMTs are typically the lowest certified level that are employed to work with an EMS service. The EMT level is the building block of future EMT certifications. EMT’s must have a good knowledge of anatomy and pathophysiology, along with multiple types of medical emergencies. The EMT is capable of life saving measures such as basic airway support, bleeding control, basic pharmacology, and many other life saving skills.
AEMT
Advance Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) provides all basic-level and some advance-level life saving support. AEMTs provide airway management with basic adjuncts or blind insertion airway devices. AEM’'S establish IV’s and administer some medications which can be given either intravenous (IV) intramuscular (IM) or intraosseous (IO).
Paramedic
The Paramedic is the highest certification in the pre hospital setting. The Paramedic is highly trained in cardiac and airway emergency management. The Paramedic has a wide scope of pharmacology interventions. Paramedics are trained in multiple Advanced Life Support interventions such as transcutaneous pacing, endotracheal intubation, and synchronized cardioversion. The Paramedic may work on an ambulance, in the hospital emergency, or air medical transport.