Emergency Medical Services

Contact 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

Online Training Available

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Find these courses on the Acadis Portal.

• Ambulance CSR Discussion with Board of Pharmacy
  • Quick overview and then question-answering session with the staff for the Board of Pharmacy regarding the new ambulance CSR.
• PI Workgroup (Feb. 4, 2022)
  • This meeting had updates for primary instructors and included both EMS Commission changes to EMT curriculum and upcoming new IDHS EMS webforms.
• CSR Ambulance Rule Overview
  • Covers the new controlled substances registration process for EMS, along with best practices.

Online Training Available

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Find these courses on the Acadis Portal.

• Ambulance CSR Discussion with Board of Pharmacy
  • Quick overview and then question-answering session with the staff for the Board of Pharmacy regarding the new ambulance CSR.
• PI Workgroup (Feb. 4, 2022)
  • This meeting had updates for primary instructors and included both EMS Commission changes to EMT curriculum and upcoming new IDHS EMS webforms.
• CSR Ambulance Rule Overview
  • Covers the new controlled substances registration process for EMS, along with best practices.

Recent News

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

IDHS EMS Section Annual Report Released

The EMS Section has released its 2021 annual report detailing achievements in Mobile Integrated Health, activities with the EMS Commission, various certifications statistics and more.

Hospital Diversion Guidance

As hospital capacity has diminished and ambulance providers are experiencing challenges with diversion and off-loading delays, the EMS Section has worked with the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) to come up with guidance for EMS providers. The guidance below includes specific guidance for EMS on how diversions and off-load delays can be handled by EMS and also how diversion status can be checked via an EMS organization's EMResource account.

• Ambulance diversion and parking guidance
• EMResource instructions for diversion status

Recent Updates

• Indiana EMS Association Awards (5/11/22)
• 2022 EMS District Forums Schedule (4/22/22)
• Overview: New non-rule policies (2/24/22)

• IDHS EMS Section Annual Report - 2021 (2/18/22)
• Out-of-hospital ketamine use analysis (1/24/22)
• BOAH guidance for operational K-9 EMS treatment (12/13/21)

View archived updates

• Individuals
  • Certifications and Training
    • Certifications and Renewals
      

      • How to Renew Certification Online
        Find instructions on how to renew your certification online using the Acadis Portal.
      • Individual Certification Applications
        Access a list of certification applications and instructions. All certifications must be renewed online. Paper copies of your individual renewal will only be accepted if you get audited. All service providers, training institutions and supervising hospital paperwork must still be submitted on paper. Also, IDHS EMS Certifications will issue paper copies of responders' initial certification via mail, but not for recertifications. If you want a paper copy of your renewed certification, go to your Acadis Portal account and print it there.
    • EMS Training
      

      • EMS Course Information
        Find course standards, guidelines and more for all of the EMS core courses (EMR, EMT, AEMT and paramedic).
      • EMS Commission Training Institution Performance Reports
      • Mobile Simulation Laboratory
        Learn how to request the mobile simulation lab for your training, and see how you can enhance your skills with this free state service.
      • EMS Certification Testing
        Find links for testing sites where students can register for Indiana and National Registry exams, and how to sign up for an exam as a National Registry candidate.
      • Online Continuing Education
        Find a list of recommended online websites where you can obtain free EMS CEUs for your inservice.
      • Primary Instructor Certification Requirements
        Training institution forms, practical skills forms, reports of training, statement of remediation and more.
    • PSID Numbers, Certification Verifications
      

      • Instructions: PSID and Certification Lookups
      • PSID Number Lookup
        • No PSID Number? Apply for One
      • Verify an Individual's EMS Certification
  • Jobs
    

    • Job Openings
• Organizations
  • Certifications and Renewals
    

    • Service Provider Certification Forms
      Find forms for BLS and ALS providers, transport and non-transport, air ambulances, supervising hospitals, vehicle certification, exposure notification and out-of-hospital DNRs.
  • EMS for Children
    

    • In March 2009, Indiana University School of Medicine received funding from Health Resources and Services Administration to re-establish the Indiana Emergency Medical Services for Children (I-EMSC) program. Elizabeth Weinstein, a dual trained physician in emergency medicine and pediatrics, provides leadership to I-EMSC. Margo Knefelkamp serves as the program manager of this program. Visit the EMS for Children Indiana website and follow the organization on social media.

  • Medical Directors Resources
    

    • EMS Medical Directors
      A list of resources for Indiana EMS Medical Directors.
  • PSID Numbers, Certification Verifications
    

    • Instructions: PSID and Certification Lookups
    • PSID Number Lookup
      • No PSID Number? Apply for One
    • Verify an Individual's EMS Certification
  • Training
    

    • EMS Certification Testing
      Find links for testing sites where students can register for Indiana and National Registry exams, and how to sign up for an exam as a National Registry candidate.
    • Training Program National Registry Registration
      Find how to request authorization from National Registry to be an approved training program.
    • EMS Course Information
      Find course standards, guidelines and more for all of the EMS core courses (EMR, EMT, AEMT and paramedic).
    • EMS Commission Training Institution Performance Reports
    • Mobile Simulation Laboratory
      Learn how to request the mobile simulation lab for your training, and see how you can enhance your skills with this free state service.
    • Online Continuing Education
      Find a list of recommended online websites where you can obtain free EMS CEUs for your inservice.
    • Training Institution Certifications and Forms for Primary Instructors
      Training institution forms, practical skills forms, reports of training, statement of remediation and more.
  • Treatment and Transport
    

    • EMS Trauma Transportation Rule and Destination Guide
      Click here to find information about the field triage and transportation rule, information on protocols, and rule implementation. Find a list of all ACS Accredited Trauma Facilities, both in Indiana and in surrounding states, to transport your trauma patients.
    • POST/Advance Directives
      Find guidance on the POST/Advance directives curriculum, the requirements for all EMS personnel, and Indiana laws. Links to the exam, support documents, and other advance directive information.
    • EMS Exposure Requirements
      Click here to find the Post Exposure form that must be filled out for ALL EMS Exposures, as well as the governance of this requirement.
    • Mechanical Aids to CPR Transfer of Care Tool
      Use this template language approved by the EMS Commission (in conjunction with IDHS) to facilitate agreements between EMS organizations when one organization is providing transport for another responding EMS organization.
  • Vehicle Crash Report Form
    

    • Vehicle Crash Report
      The vehicle crash report is now an online submission. In compliance with IAC 836, all Certified EMS Providers must submit a vehicle accident report as required by the EMS Commission when a provider vehicle is involved in a motor vehicle accident. Reports must be received within 10 working days following the accident. It is the responsibility of the organization CEO to make sure that the report is filed in a timely fashion and completed in its entirety. Failure to comply will result in enforcement of the penalties outlined in IC 16-31-3.
• Resources and Data
  • Behavioral Health Help
    

    All first responders need to be aware of the health risks their jobs present, and they need to know when they need help and how to get it. Organizational leaders and coworkers also need to establish work environments that provide adequate training, protect from overwork and support public safety personnel seeking help when they need it. Find resources for first responders on the First Responder Behavioral Health page.

  • Data
    

    • Requests for provider, institution and hospital data: Please contact DHS Certifications at dhscertifications@dhs.in.gov.
    • EMS Data
      Find state, regional, and local EMS data, statistics and information. To submit data for publication, please e-mail emscertifications@dhs.in.gov.
    • IDHS EMS Section Annual Reports
    • State of Indiana EMS System Quality Improvement Reports
  • EMS Memorial
    

    • Indiana EMS Memorial
    • Memorial State Flag for Fallen Public Safety and Military Personnel
  • EMS Rules and Laws
    

    • EMS Rules and Laws
    • EMS Commission Non-Rule Policies
    • EMS Certification Transition Emergency Rule
    • Legal Decisions Search
  • Forms and Guidance
    

    • Adult Protective Services Guidance
      EMS personnel are required by law to report all cases of suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation to either the nearest APS Office or to law enforcement.
    • Carfentanil Safety for First Responders Fact Sheet
    • Child Protective Services Guidance
      EMS personnel are required by law to report all cases of suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation to either the nearest APS Office or to law enforcement.
    • DEA: Controlled Substance Practitioner's Manual
      If you are an ALS provider who monitors the administering and dispensing of controlled substances, then you should familiarize yourself and your agency with the Drug Enforcement Administration's Practitioner's Manual. This manual provides you with information on the basic requirements surrounding the use and monitoring of controlled substances. Lack of understanding of the law will not excuse you from your responsibilities under the law.
    • EMS How-To Videos
    • Fentanyl and Fentanyl Analog Exposures: PPE Recommendation
    • Flu Safety for First Responders Fact Sheet
    • Guidance for EMS and health officials on novel coronavirus
    • Guide to Infection Prevention in EMS
    • Indiana Drug-Endangered Child (DEC) Protocol
    • K-9 treatment guidance
    • POST/Advance Directives
      Find guidance on the POST/Advance directives curriculum, the requirements for all EMS personnel, and Indiana laws. Links to the exam, support documents, and other advance directive information.
    • Special Recognition Form
      Nominate an EMS worker for recognition from IDHS.
    • EMS Exposure Requirements
      Find the Post Exposure form that must be filled out for all EMS exposures, as well as the governance of this requirement.
    • Trauma System for EMS and Guidance
      Find information about the field triage and transportation rule, information on protocols, and rule implementation. Find a list of all ACS Accredited Trauma Facilities, both in Indiana and in surrounding states, to transport your trauma patients.
  • Naloxone Heat Map
    

    Developed through a partnership between the Indiana Management Performance Hub and IDHS, the Naloxone Administration Heatmap displays naloxone administrations reported by EMS since 2014. View the map

• EMS Complaint Form
  

  • File an EMS-related complaint, problem or issue online.
• News/Updates Archive
  • EMS Controlled Substances Registration (CSR) Changes (8/25/21)
    • Board of Pharmacy Final Rule (9/14/21)
    • Overview of the CSR/DEA requirements and process
    • Ambulance CSR frequently asked questions (9/29/21, updated 11/18/21)

EMS Commission