Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

Answer: First responder is a term used to describe the first medically-trained responder to arrive on scene of an emergency, accident, natural or human-made disaster, or similar event. Such people may be police or other law enforcement, firefighters, search and rescue volunteers, lifeguards, or lay rescuers.

Answer: An Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) is a term used to denote a healthcare provider trained to provide pre-hospital emergency medical services. EMTs are trained to assess a patient’s condition, and to perform such emergency medical procedures as are needed to maintain a patient airway with adequate breathing and cardiovascular circulation until the patient can be transferred to an appropriate destination for advanced medical care. Interventions include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), defibrillation, controlling bleeding, preventing shock, body immobilization to prevent spinal damage, and splinting of bone fractures.

Answer: A Paramedic (EMT-P) is a medical professional who provides pre-hospital advanced medical and trauma care. A paramedic is charged with providing emergency on-scene treatment, crisis intervention, life-saving stabilization and transport of ill or injured patients to definitive emergency medical and surgical treatment facilities, such as hospitals and trauma centers.