Introduction to EMS Systems

EMS (emergency medical services) systems provides members of a community with emergency medical care and transport. EMS systems are comprised of 9-1-1 call centers and ambulance companies. EMS systems employ trained health care providers, including emergency medical technicians and paramedics.

9-1-1 Call Centers

• Dial 9-1-1 to activate an EMS system. Dispatchers working at 9-1-1 centers answer calls and collect the information necessary to send the appropriate help to an emergency. Dispatchers gather information including the location, number of patients and type of call (medical or trauma). They pass along the information obtained to the ambulance company who will respond to the emergency.

Ambulance Companies

• Ambulance companies employ medical professionals who are trained to perform first aid and life saving techniques in the pre-hospital setting. An EMS provider treats a patient's condition and provides transportation to the local emergency department. They rely on a variety of equipment, including heart monitors, splints and medications, to provide patients with the appropriate treatment for their condition.

Emergency Departments

• A hospital's emergency department provides medical treatments and procedures that cannot be performed in the pre-hospital setting. They offer medical testing and diagnoses for patients. Those who require continued care may be admitted to the hospital. Others will be treated and discharged to home or another health care facility such as a nursing home.