Emergence of Emergency Medical Technicians

At dinner last night we were talking about a man who collapsed on a street in Portland, Maine on Christmas Eve and how someone stopped to help him until the EMTs arrived. Today the man is back to living a normal life.

We take for granted that when there is a medical emergency an ambulance with trained personnel will be there ASAP to help. They’ll not only transport people to the nearest hospital, but they will perform procedures to help the victim survive while on the way.

It wasn’t until the early 1970's that a need for emergency personnel became an issue in Portland, Maine. A committee was established to look at setting up MEDCU, a new emergency response system designed to help people – not just transport them to the hospital. Before that, people were often transported in the back of a police car, a “Paddy Wagon,” or sometimes in a hearse to the hospital, and help was not administered until they arrived.

Today, EMTs, or Emergency Medical Technicians, are trained to administer IVs, give injections, administer life support, and more. Improved communication systems allow physicians to give directions to EMTs while en-route to the hospital.. The training is rigorous and requires hundreds of hours of education and often state certification.  

Helping people feel better is a great profession. Thankfully there are people who are willing to become EMTs and do this important job.

Maine Warmers' Microwave Neck Warmer

At Maine Warmers we provide products that help people feel better. Al-The-Gator brings comforting heat to relax stiff muscles. Cozy Sheep warm beds on cold winter nights and help stimulate circulation when physical activity is limited due to illness or surgery.