VEMS 2020 2020.1

The 2020 update to the Vermont Statewide EMS Protocols marks a significant advancement in EMS care within the state. The revisions reflect extensive collaboration among stakeholders comprising all 13 District Medical Advisors, various stakeholder groups, and a plethora of EMS providers, agencies, and districts across Vermont. Emphasis on incorporating the latest evidence-based EMS literature has been central to guiding these protocol updates.

An important highlight is Vermont’s participation in the PEGASUS initiative, alongside other New England states. This collaboration ensures the integration of evidence-based pediatric care practices within the protocols. By aligning protocols regionally, PEGASUS not only facilitates better patient care coordination across New England but also strives towards uniformity in protocol standards. This initiative, aiming to unify EMS protocols, sets a precedent for enhancing patient care and promoting the significance of prehospital medicine.

Vermont's Emergency Medical Services System comprises around 180 licensed First Response and Ambulance services, overseen by 3,000 certified EMS providers. These providers consist of First Responders/Emergency Care Attendants, EMT Basics, EMT Intermediates, and Paramedics, with the majority being volunteers dedicated to delivering pre-hospital emergency care.

The Vermont Office of EMS and Injury Prevention holds jurisdiction over EMS regulation and system development statewide. Responsible for licensing EMS organizations, conducting ambulance inspections, administering certification exams for EMS providers, and spearheading system development and injury prevention initiatives, the EMS Office plays a vital role in ensuring the efficiency and quality of Vermont's EMS services.