What are the differences between First Responders, EMTs and Paramedics?
First Responders or Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs) are the initial level of pre-hospital care providers. EMRs are able to provide some basic care at the scene of an accident or medical crisis, but their scope of practice does not allow them to provide patient care in the back of an ambulance. EMT-Basics must complete 110 hours of training which includes didactic and clinical training. EMT-Basics must complete national testing in both written and practical form. EMT-Advanced requires 70 additional hours of training in advanced patient care. Paramedics provide the highest level of pre-hospital care. Their more-intensive training allows them to perform advanced care in all emergency settings. The training to become a Paramedic involves extensive classroom, clinical and field internship totaling more than 1200 hours of training. Paramedics must complete and pass a field internship with a busy ambulance service, pass a comprehensive written exam and successfully pass a rigorous practic
