History of Emergency Medical Care in the United States

1928- First volunteer all purpose rescue squad is started by Julian Wise in Roanoke, VA.

1930- Emergency Services Division of New York Police begins.

1950- Federal Civil Defense Act begins trend of Federal aid in money and training to rescue units and fire                                     departments.

1953- AMBU bag to ventilate apneic patients is invented. It will not be popular until later.

1955- Cadillac hearse-ambulance. When Johnny and Roy arrived 50% of ambulances were run by funeral homes.

1958- Snorkel invented for firefighting/rescue in Chicago.

1959- American College of Surgeons begins studying emergency medical care in America.
           Mouth to Mouth Resuscitation adopted by Red Cross.

1960- Journal of the American Medical Association first details CPR procedures.

1964- Forerunner to the EMT course is started by Dr. Sam Banks of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.                These were three day courses.

1966- ad from Macon GA newspaper. So why should nonemergency patients turn sour?

1966- Federal Highway Safety Act orders states to implement EMS Systems. CPR standards set by AHA.
           MSA invents first portable defibrillator.

1967- Paramedics first appear in Miami, FL. A year later they would appear in Columbus OH.

1968- "Neglected Disease" report submitted by NAS-NRC. Los Angeles CITY Fire Department runs first paramedics.                They had to have a nurse on board until 1970 due to legalities.

1969- Program to train paramedics in Los Angeles County begins. "Shocktrauma" ward in Maryland opens as first
           trauma center.

1970- Wedworth-Townshend Act allows paramedics to function under orders of a physician in California. Los Angeles                Police stop operating ambulances out of Receiving Hospital.

1971- American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons prints first "Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and                      Injured". Seattle begins famous paramedic program under Leonard Cobb MD.

1972- EMERGENCY! premieres that January. Hurst pneumatic jaws for extrication invented.

1973- EMS Act setting many standards for EMS Systems and ambulances is signed into law. Citizen CPR training                        standardized by AHA/ARC.

1974- New York City graduates its first paramedics.

1976- EMS Act extended.

1977- EMERGENCY! cancelled. Two hour specials continue for two seasons.

1981- Federal government downsizes EMS Office at DOT.  EMS grows despite this.

1982- AIDS is discovered. It will haunt EMS workers for years.

1987- Automatic defibrillators allow people with limited training to supplement BLS efforts in Seattle. Urban gangs emerge.

1996- New York Fire Department takes over EMS efforts and places First Responders on fire engines.