How To Identify Components of an EMS System

Emergency medical services are available in most areas throughout the country. The emergency medical services system, or EMS system, is a system which involves various components in order to provide the best service and care in each community during medical emergencies. The EMS system consists primarily of dispatchers, fire departments, ambulance companies, law enforcement, and hospitals. EMS systems are activated each time a medical emergency occurs in a community in order to provide help to those in need. Each part of the EMS system plays an important role during medical emergencies.

Instructions

• 1

  Call 9-1-1 to activate the EMS system. A dispatcher will answer the call and ask important questions, such as the location of the emergency, type of situation, and number of patients involved, to gather information they need to pass on to the necessary resources available in the EMS system. Dispatchers alert the necessary departments of the emergency, and act as a communication hub for the various departments to communicate and work through.

• 2

  Sending the fire departments to the scene. Fire departments work closely with EMS providers during emergencies such as car accidents and traumas that require patient extrication which refers to removing the patient from a damaged car, building, or other area. Fire departments may also have members who are trained first responders who perform simple first aid and CPR while waiting for EMS providers to arrive on scene. First responders help EMS providers by making an initial assessment of the patient and situation, starting basic care and treatment, and helping the patient prepare for transport when needed.

• 3

  Arrival of EMS providers. EMS providers are medical professionals working on an ambulance who are trained to administer emergency medical care and treatment. EMS providers are an extension of the emergency room doctors and act as their eyes and ears in the field. Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) perform basic life saving skills and treatments to patients. Paramedics are highly trained medical professionals who provide advanced life support care and treatments to those in need prior to their arrival at the hospital.

• 4

  Assistance from law enforcement officers. Law enforcement is part of the EMS system and helps with scene safety. Medical emergency situations may require law enforcement officers to help keep the situation and those involved safe by providing additional support on scene such as traffic control on car accident scenes, crowd control, and removing individuals who pose a threat to EMS providers or patients, and more.

• 5

  Arriving at the emergency room. Hospitals and its emergency department make up the final component of the EMS system. Emergency room (ER) staff members communicate with EMS providers in order to prepare for the patient prior to their arrival. ER staff members will receive a patient report from an EMT or paramedic giving them the information about the patient, the situation, and scene which allows them to paint a picture of the incident which can help provide proper care and treatment to patients.