Budd Lake First Aid and Rescue Squad, Inc.

The Emergency Medical System is a vital public service, as important to the community as the police or fire department. But suprisingly, few Americans understand how EMS works or what role it plays.

Emergency Medical Services is a system of care for victims of sudden and serious illness or injury. This system depends upon the availability and coordination of many different elements, ranging from an informed public capable of recognizing medical emergencies to a network of trauma centers capable of providing highly specialized care to the most seriously ill or injured. The 9-1-1 emergency number, Search and rescue teams, and prehospital and emergency department personnel are some of the critical elements necessary for the EMS system to work.Emergency Medical Services is a system that has been growing significantly for over 30 years.

In 1966, a National Academy Of Sciences report, 'Accidental Death And Disability: The Neglected Disease Of Modern Society', documented widespread deficiencies in emergency care. At the time, it was common for emergency patients to be transported to the hospital by mortuary services, and few hospitals had emergency wards staffed by doctors. The 'NAS' report, which revealed that the average American had a greater chance of survival in the combat zones of Korea or Vietnam than on the nation's highways, catalyzed public support for the creation of the EMS system as we know it today. Also in 1966 Congress passed legislation enabling the creation of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), setting the stage for the first federal standards in EMS.

In the 30 plus years since, the efforts of EMS providers at all levels have helped make our EMS system the most advanced in the world. It has made remarkable progress. And through the continued efforts of EMS care providers, the EMS system will continue to grow, meeting the demands, made to it by the American public.