Paramedics are the most highly-trained of the class of EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians) working in the U.S. They take charge at the scene of an emergency and, if necessary, perform life-saving procedures while transporting patients to the hospital. Since paramedics may administer drugs and perform certain invasive procedures on patients before they arrive at the emergency department, they are sometimes known as the “hands” of emergency doctors on the scene. What kind of emergencies do paramedics work? In EMS, the majority of calls will fall into either medical or trauma situations. Emergency medical calls usually involve illnesses like heart attacks, severe allergic reactions, labor and delivery and complications from shock. Paramedics can administer a wide variety of medications to soothe patient symptoms until they arrive at the hospital. Trauma calls usually involve an accident or physical injury. Paramedics will respond to the scenes of car crashes, falls, bar fights and sports injuries. In the wake of recent mass shootings, emergency services providers are increasingly training with police and other agencies to triage and treat multiple critical patients in dangerous scenes.

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