Public Education

What is the difference between an EMT and a paramedic?

Emergency medical technicians, or EMTs, are trained to provide basic-level life support to people who are hurt or injured. EMTs can perform CPR, automated defibrillation, artificial ventilation, oxygen administration, basic airway management, assessment of vital signs, splinting, and bandaging.  EMTs can also administer a limited number of life-saving medications.

Paramedics are credentialed healthcare professionals who provide the most extensive prehospital advanced life support.  In many cases, paramedics can provide care that is on par with that of the emergency room. During a medical emergency paramedics can provide advanced life support care including endotracheal intubation, manual defibrillation, external transcutaneous pacing, ECG monitoring, 12-lead ECG acquisition and interpretation, IV fluid therapy, interosseous infusions, hemodynamic monitoring, needle chest decompressions, surgical airways, administration of a wide array of critical care medications, and mechanical ventilation. Paramedics also maintain specialty certifications, such as Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Prehospital Trauma Life Support, and critical care paramedic.

Do you know what to do when an emergency vehicle is approaching?

Every day, emergency vehicles respond to urgent requests for help from the public. The call may be for an armed hold-up in progress, fire alarm, or someone having a heart attack. All drivers must know their responsibilities when approached by an emergency vehicle with lights flashing and siren sounding.

Do you know what to do?

  • Don't panic and slam on the brakes.
  • Pull as near as possible and parallel to the right-hand edge or curb and stop.
  • Remain stopped until the emergency vehicle has passed.
  • Don't stop in the middle of a curve.
  • Don't stop on or while cresting a hill.

Precious minutes lost while responding to an emergency can be the difference between life and death. Help us help others by pulling to the right and stopping!