The Emergency Medical Services system is responsible for providing pre-hospital care to ill and injured patients to citizens and visitors in Indian Country by paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and medical first responders. These EMS programs provide urgent medical treatment to those in need of care and quick transportation to an emergency department of an advanced health care facility to improve their likelihood of survival from medical emergencies and trauma.

Indian Health Service Areas

• Each Area Office has a designated EMS Coordinator, but this role is one of many responsibilities for that individual.
• The majority of the 576 federally recognized tribes do not have their own EMS programs. There are 80 EMS programs operating within the twelve IHS service areas, serving nearly 60% of the IHS service population.
• EMS is important for the American Indian and Alaska Native population due to the increased rate of death and disability resulting from injury.
• EMS Tribal Programs List http://www.heds.org/ambpro10.pdf

Program Objectives

• Assist local jurisdictions in developing improved health and Emergency Medical Services response capability.
• Provide direct and indirect technical assistance in training and education to develop the capabilities of the pre-hospital care providers in Agency and Tribal jurisdictions.
• Develop and coordinate a network of EMS Medical Directors in Agency and Tribal jurisdictions.
• Facilitate the acquisition of ambulances and motorized patient transport systems to ensure function and capability in Agency and Tribal jurisdictions.
• Increase awareness and capability in EMS services directed at specific populations such as children and geriatric patients.

IHS Service Areas EMS Coordinators

Links

• Indian Health Service Primary Care Provider "Special Emergency Services Issue" (PDF - 1.0MB)
• Mountain Plains Health Consortium
• National Association of EMTs
• National Native American EMS Association