The field of prehospital emergency medical care is an evolving profession in which the reality of life and death is confronted at a moment's notice. EMS has developed from the days when the local funeral home and other services served as the ambulance provider to a far more sophisticated system today.
The Emergency Medical Technician - Basic (EMT-B) is a basic level provider of Emergency Medical Services. EMTs are trained in practical emergency medicine and skills that can be deployed within a rapid time frame. Patient treatment guidelines are described in local protocols following both national guidelines and local medical policies. The goal of EMT intervention is to rapidly evaluate a patient's condition and to maintain a patient's airway, breathing and circulation. In addition, EMT intervention aims to province CPR and defibrillation when necessary, control external bleeding, prevent shock, and prevent further injury or disability by immobilizing potential spinal or other bone fractures. EMT-B's can also assist the patient in taking their own prescribed nitroglycerin tablets, β-2 agonist Metered Dose Inhalers, and Epinepherine auto-injectors.
The role of the Certified First Responder (CFR) is to be the first tier of the EMS system and to provide initial assessment and resuscitative care with limited equipment until Basic Life Support or Advanced Life Support arrives. Lifesaving skills in the first responder course include recognizing unsafe scenes and hazardous materials emergencies, protection from bloodborne pathogens, controlling bleeding, applying splints, conducting a primary life-saving patient assessment, in-line spinal stabilization, emergency defibrillation, when to call for more advanced medical help, and the use of oxygen and airway adjuncts. First Responders can recognize and treat a wide variety of ailments, including, but not limited to, strokes, heart attacks, poisonings, shock, hypo- and hyperglycemia, and heat- and cold-related emergencies. First Responders are also trained to assist with the delivery of babies. However, a first responder does not have an EMT's skill at patient assessment and evaluation. They may have the basic pharmacology training EMTs receive, and may be allowed to administer oral Glucose and Activated Charcoal, or assist with Nitro or inhalers. First responders do not have enough training to be the highest level of certification on a BLS ambulance, but may be present, although this is not their primary duty.
The Heartsaver is a bare minimum cadiac care responder ready to assist a paitient in cardiac arrest. These individuals are trained in CPR, emergency defibrillation and the administering of oxygen.