Mississippi EMS

EMS System Overview:

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are pre-hospital health care services delivered to residents of a community who suddenly become ill or injured under emergency conditions. Its scope includes a quick response, detailed assessment, immediate treatment of life-threatening illnesses or injuries, and transportation to definitive care. Emergency Medical Services are provided by public, private, or non-profit entities with the authority and the resources to effectively administer the services.

The components of an EMS System include:

Manpower

Training

Communications

Transportation

Facilities

Critical care units

Public safety agencies

Consumer participation

Access to care

Patient transfer

Coordinated patient record keeping

Public information and education

Review and evaluation

Disaster plan

Mutual aid

The Emergency Medical Services Act of 1973 established standards for the organization of emergency services. Prior to 1974, government involvement in emergency medical services was primarily limited to providing an emergency department in the public hospital. Private operators, predominantly funeral homes, provided emergency transportation.

The Mississippi EMS Act of 1974, and subsequent amendments, authorized the Mississippi State Department of Health to create a Division of Emergency Medical Services. The Act authorized this Division to license all ambulance services in Mississippi, to require specific equipment and standards for emergency vehicles, to provide for training and certification of emergency medical technicians (EMT’s), and to assist with the creation and the provision of technical assistance.