Emergency medical services
Emergency medical services (EMS), also known as ambulance services or paramedic services, are emergency services that provide urgent pre-hospital treatment and stabilisation for serious illness and injuries and transport to definitive care. They may also be known as a first aid squad, FAST squad, emergency squad, ambulance squad, ambulance corps, life squad or by other initialisms such as EMAS or EMARS.
Chicago Fire Department paramedics transporting a patient on a stretcher
A drawing of one of Larrey's ambulances volantes
A horse-drawn Bellevue Hospital ambulance in New York City, 1895
A Royal Navy ambulance during World War I
Emergency services and rescue services are organizations that ensure public safety, security, and health by addressing and resolving different emergencies. Some of these agencies exist solely for addressing certain types of emergencies, while others deal with ad hoc emergencies as part of their normal responsibilities. Many of these agencies engage in community awareness and prevention programs to help the public avoid, detect, and report emergencies effectively. Emergency services are often considered first responders, and typically have dedicated emergency vehicles.
Police, fire, and medical services at the scene of a traffic collision in New South Wales, Australia
Multiple emergency services at the scene of a traffic accident in Vaughan, Ontario
Lifeguards on duty at Santa Monica State Beach in Los Angeles County, California
Ski patrol team at Ski Montcalm in Quebec, Canada