The Development of Emergency Medical Services

Timeline

1966 Accidental Death and Disability: The Neglected Diseases of Modern Society was published by the National Academy of Sciences - National Research Council's (NAS/NRC) Committee on Trauma and Shock. This document stressed the difference that quality initial emergency care and transportation could make in the survival of critically injured patients.

The Highway Safety Act of 1966 directed states to develop an effective EMS program or be subject to loss of up to 10% of their federal highway construction funds. This program was administered by the secretary of transportation and charged the U.S. Department of Transportation - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (DOT-NHTSA) with responsibility for helping states develop their EMS programs.

1968 "9-1-1" was designated as the universal emergency telephone number by the American Telephone and Telegraph Company.

1970 The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) was organized. The Registry was formed to standardize education, examinations, and certification of EMT's on a national level.

1973 The "Star of Life" was adopted as the official symbol for EMS.

1975 The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians was founded.

The American Medical Association accepted and approved the Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (EMT-P) role as an emergency health occupation. 42. Ambulance Wagon c. 1875 An example of the type of emergency transportation used by the United States Army in the late nineteenth century. Courtesy of The National Museum of Health and Medicine, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, photo # 1508-A.

1977 National training standards for the EMT-P were developed and tested for two years by more than 40 EMT training agencies throughout the United States.

1990 President George Bush signed the Trauma Care Systems Planning Development Act of 1990 (HR 1602). The bill provides for annual grants to states based on geographic and population size to help establish and improve trauma systems.

1991 Occupational Exposure to Blood-Borne Pathogens; Final Rule (CFR 29 1910.1030) established standards for work-place protection from blood-borne diseases.

43. Helicopter Evacuation
1950

Billy C. Hilsborn, 8th ca. RGT, 1st Cav. Div., (left) watches as a wounded friend
is readied for loading on to a helicopter for evacuation.

Courtesy of The National Museum of Health and Medicine, Armed Forces Institute
of Pathology, photo # NCP 1316.

44. Wounded Men Being Evacuated By Helicopter
Vietnam, c. 1965

Courtesy of The National Museum of Health and Medicine, Armed Forces Institute
of Pathology, photo # NCP 653.

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