Emergency Medical Services
About Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Emergency Medical Services, more commonly known as EMS, is a system that provides emergency medical care to Hoosiers more than 2,000 times per day. Once it is activated by an incident that causes serious illness or injury, the focus of EMS is emergency medical care of the patient. EMS is most easily recognized when emergency vehicles or helicopters are seen responding to incidents, but EMS is much more than a ride to the hospital. It is a system of coordinated response and emergency medical care, involving multiple people and agencies. The Indiana EMS system is ready every day for every kind of emergency. With more than 800 provider agencies, operating more than 2,000 emergency ambulances, by more than 24,000 emergency medical personnel, EMS is the frontline of our health care system safety net and stands proudly at the intersection of health care, public health and public safety.
EMS District Managers (click for contacts)
EMS personnel earn certifications at different levels: emergency medical responder (EMR), emergency medical technician (EMT), advanced EMT (AEMT) and paramedic. These certifications prepare and authorize them to perform specific types of medical care, which are listed in the EMS scope of practice.
State legislation in recent years has paved the way for an innovative patient-centered model of care called Mobile Integrated Health (MIH), also known as community paramedicine. Learn more about MIH in Indiana as the field of EMS continues to change.
EMS District Managers
EMS district managers are assigned to IDHS districts and are resources and liaisons for EMS information for individuals and organizations. They address questions about EMS operations and rules, the ImageTrend data system and complaints and investigations. District managers handle provider organization certifications and serve as points of contact on questions for individual certifications.
EMS District Managers (click for contacts)
News/Updates
EMS Training Equipment Grant
The EMS Training Equipment Grant application period opens Dec. 5, 2023, and closes Jan. 5, 2024. The grant supports equipment for training initiatives that increase the number of certified medical technicians and paramedics in the state. Eligible items include mannequins, cardiac monitors and simulation technology. Complete details are available in the EMS Training Equipment Grant Notice of Funding Opportunity.
Recent Updates
Services
- Individuals
- Organizations
- Resources and Data
- EMS Complaint Form
- File an EMS-related complaint, problem or issue online.
- News/Updates Archive
- EMS Data Migrating to New Version in Late 2023: The IDHS EMS Section communicated previously about the transition from the current NEMSIS version to the NEMSIS version 3.5 which will happen at the start of 2024. The timeline for the transition in which NEMSIS version 3.4 is no longer accepted and all reports must be in NEMSIS version 3.5 format is being moved up a month to Friday, Dec. 1, 2023. Only NEMSIS version 3.5 EMS run reports will be accepted on and after this date. This timeline change is being implemented to allow a 30-day period before the NEMSIS version 3.5 deadline of Jan. 1, 2024, to address any issues with the transition that are encountered by individual EMS organizations or vendors. If organizations or vendors cannot comply by Dec. 1, they should work with the EMS and fire data manager on a timeline before the Dec. 1 transition.
- Indiana EMS Workforce Development Updates: As part of the state budget requested by Gov. Eric J. Holcomb and approved by the Indiana legislature this year, IDHS will be administering about $5.7 million for the next two fiscal years to enhance EMS in Indiana. Learn more in the Governor's Public Health Commission and EMS Readiness presentation. Part of these efforts includes a workforce study that is now underway. You may see additional questions when renewing EMS certifications after July 1, 2023, that will help inform the study.
- Adding Social Security Numbers to Acadis: To be compliant with the rules and regulations associated with the EMS Compact, which allows Indiana certified EMS personnel to practice in other EMS Compact member states, the EMS Section is required to collect Social Security numbers from all current license holders and new applicants. Indiana EMS personnel are asked to enter their Social Security number into their existing Acadis account. Only the last four digits will be visible and will be used for identity verification, particularly with the National EMS Coordinated Database. Read additional instructions and information
- The Indiana Department of Health is accepting applications for intranasal naloxone for first responders in rural counties. Learn more and apply
- Governor's Public Health Commission and EMS Readiness (6/8/23)
- Mobile Simulation Laboratory Flyer (4/5/23)
- Indiana EMS Workforce Shortage - 2022 (3/22/23)
- IDHS EMS Section Annual Report - 2022 (3/13/23)
- Guidance on administration of OTC medications, hyperglycemic agents (12/9/22)
- EMS scope of practice update (12/9/22)
- The Governor's Public Health Commission released its report in August 2022 with recommendations for six different facets of public health, including EMS. Learn more about the recommendations
- Clarification on continuing education within certification cycle (9/29/22)
- EMS Commission guidance on EMTs administering vaccinations (7/26/22)
- Training Grant Opportunity for Fire Departments and EMS Providers: The Indiana Department of Workforce Development offers the Employer Training Grant, which allows employers in a high-demand business sector to be reimbursed up to $5,000 for each newly trained current or new full-time employee, and up to $1,000 for high school students. Paramedics/EMTs and firefighters are on the list of eligible occupations. Learn more and apply
- Prehospital providers monkeypox update (6/23/22)
- Overview: 2022 legislative changes (6/13/22)
- Audits Process Updated: EMS audits randomly occur upon renewal of EMS certifications and licensures. Starting in April, IDHS is implementing a more automated system for better tracking and efficiency in processing the audits. This includes auto-generated emails that provide a link for individuals to use to submit required information for the audit. Learn more about the changes
EMS Commission
The EMS Commission is responsible for the establishment and maintenance of an effective system of emergency medical services. This includes the necessary equipment, personnel and facilities to ensure that all emergency patients receive prompt and adequate medical care throughout the range of emergency conditions encountered. The commission has also established the Mobile Integrated Health Advisory Committee. Visit the Boards and Commissions page for more information, including instructions on submitting a waiver and recent meeting minutes.