e wide activities concerning EMS (Calif. Health & Safety Admin., 2). Seeing the many changes and confusion regarding the EMT, EMT-II and EMT-Paramedic curriculums, the United States Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration choose to revise its national standards. The changes, made in 1984, provided a more concise working outline from which preparation could be made to create course-training programs (Heckman, xiii).When an individual phones 911 requesting medical assistance there are several agencies notified. First, there is the private ambulance company, if the local fire department does not provide ambulance service. Second, there is the local fire department. Third, the local law enforcement may possibly respond. Depending on the first unit to arrive on scene, the personnel first coming in contact with the patient may have any one of several levels of training. The first level of training would be the family members or public citizens who may or may not have any medical training. These individuals, or possibly a police officer or fireman, may have training limited to only basic first aid or CPR. Although early CPR is invaluable in cases of medically caused cardiac arrest, basic first aid is valuable in only the minor injuries. The next level of care would be the First Responder. These individuals have attended a forty-hour course in CPR and the essentials of basic life support. This training is similar to an EMT although its scope of practice is significantly more limited. First Responders can give treatments of oxygen and provide basic airway management and circulation assistance. They also are able to secure the spine through cervical spine immobilization. Unlike EMT's, though, First responders cannot give oral glucose to diabetics, transport to a hospital by ambulance, or communicate with hospital personnel. Their patient care is limited to basic life support until a more highly trained person ...
