Description of EMS System – Difference between an EMT and Medic
What is Emergency Medical Services?

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is a vital public service, as important to your community as the police or fire department. In the State of New Jersey, EMS is a two-tiered system. Our focus is to provide care for victims of sudden and serious illness or injury.

The first tier of the system is Basic Life Support (BLS), usually provided by your local first aid or rescue squad. These units are staffed by Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). They provide first aid treatment and transportation to the hospital, but do not provide advanced life support.

The second tier of the system is Advanced Life Support (ALS). These are hospital-based units, Mobile Intensive Care Units (MICU), which are staffed by two paramedics to bring Emergency Department care to the scene of an emergency.

Paramedics are specially trained health care providers who act as the eyes and the ears of the Emergency Room physician.

Upon arrival at the emergency, paramedics perform a thorough history and physical exam. They immediately establish any needed emergency treatment and notify the emergency room physician. The paramedics carry the most commonly used medications and equipment used in the Emergency Department to treat the critically ill.