EMS Safety

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) publication EMS Safety: Techniques & Applications was developed as a comprehensive manual to address the hazards faced by EMS providers and describe ways in which emergency responders can and should deal with these risks. The purpose of the manual is to reduce the number of EMS personnel killed and injured in the line of duty across the country by providing them with the information they need to create an appropriate margin of safety during the performance of their duties. This manual addresses a broad range of safety considerations for firefighters and other EMS providers. Topics addressed include the universal elements of safe EMS operations such as vehicle operation and personal protective equipment. Scene operations, health maintenance, and manager responsibilities to safety are also included in the context of this manual.