Emergency Medical Technicians provide out of hospital emergency medical care and transportation for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical services (EMS) system. EMTs have the basic knowledge and skills necessary to stabilize and safely transport patients ranging from non-emergency and routine medical transports to life threatening emergencies. Emergency Medical Technicians function as part of a comprehensive EMS response system, under medical oversight. Emergency Medical Technicians perform interventions with the basic equipment typically found on an ambulance. Emergency Medical Technicians are a critical link between the scene of an emergency and the health care system.

Emergency Medical Technicians-Basic (EMT-B) respond to emergency calls to provide efficient and immediate care to the critically ill and injured, and to transport the patient to a medical facility. After receiving the call from the dispatcher, the EMT-B drives the ambulance to address or location given, using the most expeditious route, depending on traffic and weather conditions. The EMT-B must observe traffic ordinances and regulations concerning emergency vehicle operation.

The EMT-B: ¨ functions in uncommon situations; ¨ has a basic understanding of stress response and methods to ensure personal well-being; ¨ has an understanding of body substance isolation; ¨ understands basic medical-legal principles; ¨ functions within the scope of care as defined by state, regional and local regulatory agencies; ¨ complies with regulations on the handling of the deceased, notifies authorities and arranges for protection of property and evidence at the scene. Upon arrival at the scene of crash or illness, the EMT-B parks the ambulance in a safe location to avoid additional injury. Prior to initiating patient care, the EMT-B will also "size-up" the scene to determine: that the scene is safe; the mechanism of injury or nature of illness; the total number of patients; and to request additional help, if necessary. In the absence of law enforcement, the EMT-B creates a safe traffic environment, such as the placement of road flares, removal of debris and redirection of traffic for the protection of the injured and those assisting in the care of injured patients. The EMT-B determines the nature and extent of illness or injury and establishes priority for required emergency care. The EMT-B renders emergency medical and or trauma care, to adults, children and infants based on assessment findings. Duties include but are not limited to: ¨ opening and maintaining an airway; ¨ ventilating patients; ¨ administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation, including use of automated external defibrillators; ¨ providing prehospital emergency medical care of simple and multiple system trauma such as: - controlling hemorrhage, - treatment of shock (hypoperfusion), - bandaging wounds, - immobilization of painful, swollen, or deformed extremities, - immobilization of painful, swollen, or deformed neck or spine;

The exam covers the 5 following topic areas:

• Airway, Respiration, & Ventilation.

• Cardiology & Resuscitation.

• Trauma.

• Medical/Obstetrics/Gynecology.

• EMS Operations.