An integrated system of appropriate health manpower, facilities and equipment which provides all necessary emergency care in a defined geographic area. The development of such systems is Federal!}’ assisted under the Emergency Medical Services Systems Act of 1973, P.I.. 93-154, in which the term is defined and the necessary components of the system listed (sections 1201 and 1206 of the PHS Act). Prototype systems are found in the State of Illinois and Jacksonville, Florida. One characteristic of such a system would be a central communications facility using the universal emergency telephone number, 911, and having direct communications with all parts of the system with planned dispatching of cases to properly categorized facilities.
A comprehensive approach to providing emergency medical services, including the following components: manpower, training, communications, transportation facilities, critical care units, public safety agencies, consumer participation, access to care, patient transfer, coordinated patient record keeping, public information and education, review and evaluation, and disaster planning.