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
• First Responder
• EMT-Basic
• EMSA-Intermediate
• EMT-Paramedic

Additionally, the office offers specialty certifications for RN, PA, FN, DO, or MD.

First Responder

The First Responder (EMSA-FR, or Emergency Medical Services Attendant-First Responder) provides basic medical treatment on the emergency scene. First 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.

EMT-Basic

The EMT-Basic 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 EMT-Basic can serve as attendant-in-charge on class A (rapid response) and B (Basic Life Support transport).

EMT-Intermediate

A relatively new personnel type, the EMT-Intermediate can perform all duties of an EMT-Basic, providing Basic Life Support (BLS) and some intermediate forms of Advanced Life Support (ALS).

EMT-Paramedic

The EMT-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.