About the system:
The Emergency Medical Services
System is a coordinated system of medically trained personnel who work
- Together to give
optimal care in an emergency medical situation 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Under physician control by direct radio communications.
- Through medically approved guidelines and protocols within the standards established by the New York State
department of Health.
When to Call
For any sudden or rapid change in illness and/or injury. For example:
- Difficulty breathing
- chest pain
or chest discomfort
- Drug or alcohol overdose
- Severe wounds or bleeding
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Falls
- Sudden changes in alertness or strength
Do not underestimate the severity of illness or injury
When in doubt, call EMS
What To Say
- Give an exact location of the sick or injured
- Briefly
describe the emergency
- Give your name and the phone number from
which you are calling
- Age of the patient if possible
- Answer all questions of the dispatcher
Stay on the line,
do not hang up until the dispatcher says it is OK.
While
Waiting
If possible:
- Turn on the outside light
- Ask someone to stand outside to direct the emergency personnel
- Keep calm
If you are alone:
- Do
not move the patient
- Stay with the patient and keep him/her
warm
Also
Be prepared for an emergency:
- Make sure your house number is clearly visible from the road
both day and night
- Post emergency number(s) near a phone
- Learn CardioPulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and other life saving
skills
- Know what EMS resources are available in your community
