West Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services

The West Virginia Office of Emergency Medical services, acting on behalf of the WV Bureau for Public Health , is required by West Virginia Code "to ensure the provision of adequate emergency medical services within this state for the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare" by providing that "minimum standards for emergency medical service personnel be established and enforced by the state."

Those standards which have been set forth govern the following types of certified emergency medical services (EMS) personnel:

• EMT-Miner
• Emergency Medical Responder
• Emergency Medical Technician
• Advanced Care Technician
• Paramedic

Emergency Medical Responder

The Emergency Medical Responder provides basic medical treatment on the emergency scene. Emergency Medical Responders cannot transport patients (as class A vehicles are not considered patient transports) and can serve as an attendant-in-charge only on class A (rapid response) emergency vehicles.

Emergency Medical Technician

The Emergency Medical Technician performs all of the duties as the First Responder, and in addition, can perform the full gamut of West Virginia Basic Life Support (BLS) and can transport patients to the hospital or care center. An Emergency Medical Technician can serve as attendant-in-charge on class A (rapid response) and B (Basic Life Support transport).

Advanced Care Technician

A relatively new personnel type, the Advenced Care Technician can perform all duties of an Emergency Medical Technician, providing Basic Life Support (BLS) and some intermediate forms of Advanced Life Support (ALS).

Paramedic

The Paramedic provides high level of care, capable of administering powerful drugs and techniques, and can administer Basic Life Support and Advanced Life Support techniques and protocols. Paramedics can serve as attendant-in-charge on class A, B, and C (advanced life support transport) vehicles.