Foundations of EMS Systems, Third Edition is an introductory text in the
Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) emergency medical
services (EMS) series. It provides an overview for students,
administrators, government officials, and others who need to know about
the emergency medical services system. Because EMS is both an evolving
system and a technical field, change is constantly occurring both in the
clinical aspects of patient care and in the delivery of EMS services.
This change has been evident in EMS over the past few years as a result
of the significant changes in the scope of practice and education of EMS
providers. The Third Edition has been completely updated to include the
latest information on the following: Significant developments in EMS of
the last decade. Reimbursement for EMS services as the result of the
Affordable Care Act. Federal legislation and federal agency activity
related to EMS. Changes in disaster response, with a special emphasis on
NIMS integration. The expanding role of prehospital providers as an
integrated part of the health care system including the role of the
community paramedic..