Company profile

EMS West is a nonprofit (501.C.3) corporation that provides technical and financial assistance to the development of a coordinated emergency medical services system primarily throughout 16 counties in western Pennsylvania.

We perform a dual role. We represent the interests of the Department of Health of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and we represent the interests of both the general public and the EMS / Emergency Response community to the Department of Health.

Additionally, we offer to the EMS community a major training conference, “EMS Update“, every year in March. We also host various activities to recognize the contributions made by EMS personnel.

Within its region, EMS West is responsible for:

• Licensure of Ambulances
• Training and Credentialing of EMS Personnel
• Accreditation of Medical Command Hospitals and Other Medical Command Facilities
• Accreditation of Training Institutes
• Quality Assurance within the EMS Community
• Public Information and Education
• Data Collection Regarding EMS Activities

Quick Response Service (QRS)

A QRS is a non-transporting level of EMS. An EMS agency operating a QRS uses EMS providers to respond to calls for EMS and provide EMS to patients before an ambulance arrives. A QRS is not required to have a vehicle when responding to a call. The minimum staffing for a QRS is one EMS provider

Basic Life Support Ambulance Service (BLS Ambulance)

A BLS Ambulance can transport patients. An EMS agency operating a BLS Ambulance employs one or more BLS ambulances staffed by an ambulance crew capable of providing medical assessment, observation, triage, monitoring, treatment, and transportation of patients who require EMS at or below the skill level of an EMT. The minimum staffing for a BLS ambulance crew when transporting a patient is an EMS provider at or above the EMR level, a second EMS provider at or above the EMT level, and an EMSVO. However, a two-person ambulance crew is permitted if the EMSVO is also one of the EMS providers and an EMS provider above the EMR level is available to attend to the patient during patient transport.

Basic Life Support Squad Service (BLS Squad)

A BLS Squad is a non-transporting level of EMS. An EMS agency operating a BLS Squad transports EMS providers, along with basic EMS equipment and supplies, to rendezvous with an ambulance crew or to respond prior to the arrival of an ambulance, to provide EMS at or below the AEMT level of care. A BLS squad vehicle may not transport patients. The minimum staffing for a BLS squad vehicle crew when responding to a call to provide EMS is an EMS provider at or above the EMT level and an EMSVO. However, only one person is required if the EMSVO is also the EMS provider.

Intermediate Advanced Life Support Ambulance Service (IALS Ambulance)

An IALS Ambulance can transport patients. An EMS agency operating an IALS Ambulance operates one or more IALS ambulances staffed by an ambulance crew capable of providing medical assessment, observation, triage, monitoring, treatment, and transportation of patients who require EMS at the AEMT level. The minimum staffing for an ALS ambulance crew when transporting a patient who requires EMS at the skill level of an AEMT is an EMS provider at or above the AEMT level, a second EMS provider at or above the EMR level, and an EMSVO. However, a two-person ambulance crew is permitted if the EMSVO is also one of the EMS providers and an EMS provider at or above the AEMT level is available to attend to the patient during patient transport.

Intermediate Advanced Life Support Squad Service (IALS Squad)

An IALS Squad is a non-transporting level of EMS. An EMS agency operating an IALS Squad transports EMS providers at the AEMT level, along with EMS equipment and supplies, to rendezvous with an ambulance crew or to respond prior to the arrival of an ambulance, to provide medical assessment, monitoring, treatment, and observation of a patient who requires advanced EMS. An IALS squad vehicle may not transport patients. The minimum staffing for an IALS squad vehicle crew when responding to a call to provide EMS is an EMS provider at or above the AEMT level and an EMSVO. However, only one person is required if the EMSVO is also the EMS provider.

Advanced Life Support Ambulance Service (ALS Ambulance)

An ALS Ambulance can transport patients. An EMS agency operating an ALS Ambulance operates one or more ALS ambulances staffed by an ambulance crew capable of providing medical assessment, observation, triage, monitoring, treatment, and transportation of patients who require EMS at a skill level above the AEMT. The minimum staffing for an ALS ambulance crew when transporting a patient who requires EMS at the skill level above an AEMT is an EMS provider at or above the EMT level, a second EMS provider above the AEMT level, and an EMSVO. However, a two-person ambulance crew is permitted if the EMSVO is also one of the EMS providers and an EMS provider above the AEMT level is available to attend to the patient during patient transport.

Advanced Life Support Squad Service

An ALS Squad is a non-transporting level of EMS. An EMS agency operating an ALS Squad transports EMS providers above the AEMT level, along with EMS equipment and supplies, to rendezvous with an ambulance crew or to respond prior to the arrival of an ambulance, to provide medical assessment, monitoring, treatment, and observation of a patient who requires EMS at or above the skill level of an AEMT. An ALS squad vehicle may not transport patients. The minimum staffing for an ALS squad vehicle crew when responding to a call to provide EMS is an EMS provider above the AEMT level and an EMSVO. However, only one person is required if the EMSVO is also the EMS provider.

Critical Care Transport Ambulance Service (CCT)

A critical care transport ambulance service (CCT) can transport patients. An EMS agency operating a CCT operates a critical care transport ambulance service employs one or more CCT ambulances staffed by a crew capable of providing medical assessment, observation, triage, monitoring, treatment, and transportation of patients who require EMS at the skill level needed to attend to and transport critically ill or injured patients between receiving facilities. The minimum staffing for a CCT crew when transporting a patient is an EMSVO and two EMS providers above the AEMT level, with at least one of the EMS providers being a Paramedic, PHRN, PHPE, or PHP who has successfully completed a critical care transport educational program approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Health Bureau of EMS.

Air Ambulance Service

An air ambulance service can transport patients. An EMS agency operating an air ambulance service operates an air ambulance service employs one or more air ambulances staffed by a crew capable of providing medical assessment, observation, triage, monitoring, treatment, and transportation of patients who require EMS. The minimum staffing for an air ambulance crew when responding to a call to transport a patient by air ambulance is a pilot and two EMS providers above the AEMT level, with at least one of the EMS providers being a Paramedic, PHRN, PHPE, or PHP who has successfully completed an air ambulance transport educational program approved by the Department.