EMS Certification Levels

In the State of Indiana EMS providers are regulated by the Indiana Emergency Medical Services Commission. The EMS Commission is part of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. LifeMed EMS is certified to provide services at three levels - Basic Life Support, Advanced EMT and Paramedic. The four fire departments that operate within our primary 911 response area are certified at the BLS Non-Transport level, with most of their EMS responders being certified at the First Responder Level. Below is a summary for each level of EMS responder operating in this area.

First Responder

The certified First Responder has successfully completed an approved First Responder Course which is typically 40-60 hours in length. First Responders are trained in the use of Automatic External Defibrillators (AED), CPR, oxygen administration, bandaging, splinting, and emergency childbirth.

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) - Basic

The EMT-Basic has successfully completed an approved EMT Course which is typically about 150 hours in length. EMTs are trained in the use of Automatic External Defibrillators (AED), CPR, oxygen administration, bandaging, splinting, emergency childbirth, nonvisualized airways, and the administration of nitroglycerin, epinephrine with an Epi-Pen, aspirin and activated charcoal, although activated charcoal is not used in this system.

Emergency Medical Technician - Advanced

The Advanced EMT has successfully completed an approved EMT Course plus an Advanced EMT Course which is typically a total of about 250 hours in length. Advanced EMTs are trained in the use of automatic and manual defibrillators, CPR, oxygen administration, bandaging, splinting, emergency childbirth, nonvisualized airways, the administration of nitroglycerin, epinephrine with an Epi-Pen, aspirin, and activated charcoal, which is not used in this system, intravenous access (IV), and cardiac monitoring.

Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic

The Paramedic has successfully completed an approved EMT Course plus a Paramedic Course which is typically a total of about 1,500 hours. Most paramedic courses now take between 18-24 months to complete. Paramedics are trained in all of the BLS skills and in the use of manual defibrillation, transcutaneous cardiac pacing, 12 lead ECGs, advanced airway management, including surgical airways, intravenous access, intraosseous access, which involves placing a needle in a bone and using the bone marrow as a fluid and medication route and pharmacology (LifeMed's paramedics have access to nearly 40 medications). Additionally, paramedics can perform pleural decompression which is a treatment to reinflate collapsed lungs, CPAP and Rapid Sequence Induction.