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Major Jonathan Letterman establishes US Ambulance Corps within the Army
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Ohio establishes the first civilian ambulance service.
and in
1868—New York City advertises 30-second response by an Ambulance Surgeon. -
Rural volunteer service begins with Roanoke, VA life-saving and first aid crews. Other states follow, but quality and kind of service varies widely.
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Unregulated hodgepodge of service emerges at state and local levels with fire departments, hospitals, funeral homes, towing companies, and volunteers setting own standards. Transportation of patients remains primary focus until after mid-century.
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Beginnings of modern EMS. Funeral homes begin patient care and operate nearly half of country's ambulances.
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Modern EMS evolves from landmark National Academy of Science study, Accidental Death and Disability: The Neglected Disease of Modern Society. Shift begins from transportation focus to emergency medical service. Federal legislation standardizes training requirements, introduces the term Emergency Medical Technician.
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Nation’s first call to 911 received at a police station in Haleyville, Alabama.
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Mobile Advanced Life Support debuts in New York City and Miami. Columbus, Portland, Seattle and Los Angeles follow soon after.
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Health Services and Mental Health Administration under the Dept of Health, Education, and Welfare becomes the lead agency for EMS, formalizing shift from primarily transportation service to emergency medical service.
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EMS Systems Act establishes 300 EMS systems throughout the country. Department of Transportation adapts training curricula for EMT, EMT-P, and first responders. New rules establish EMS radio communications and introduce ambulance specifications.
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EMS autonomy and wider medical services highlights need for medical oversight. EMS Physician emerges as new specialty to ensure that care provides by EMS is both appropriate and beneficial.
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Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act consolidates funding into preventive health block grants to states, reduces compliance with federal guidelines, and abolishes the lead federal agency.
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Emergency Medical Services for Children program adds an EMS emphasis on pediatric patients, including how to care for children and prevent pediatric injuries.
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Draft EMS Agenda for the Future further connects EMS with other medical professions.
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National EMS Information System begins to standardize storage and sharing of EMS data to improve analysis, research and performance at local, state and regional levels.
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Enhanced 911 Act establishes national 911 program to assess and improve public safety and communications services. New Federal Interagency Committee on EMS created to coordinate federal efforts and improve EMS systems nationwide.
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National EMS Advisory Council created to provide EMS recommendations to Department of Transportation and Federal Interagency Committee on EMS
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Public Law 115-275 authorizes National EMS Memorial Foundation to establish a fitting and permanent National EMS Memorial in Washington, DC.
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