Willard Fire Department
What do ALS and BLS mean?
BLS stands for basic life support and it can provide treatment for less serious injuries.  These
treatments include splinting, bandaging and basic assistance.  The EMT-Basic is also trained in the
use of an AED for patients that are not breathing and pulseless.  They are also trained in intubation,
some patient assisted medications and MDI or meter dosed inhalers.

ALS stands for advanced life support and it can provide treatment for more serious injuries.  
EMT-Intermediates perform IV therapy, administer medications for some breathing problems,
allergic reactions, seizures, drug overdoses, pain management and diabetic emergencies.  They
also interpret 6 cardiac rhythms and perform chest decompressions in the case of a collapsed lung.

Paramedics perform the skills listed above for the EMT-B and EMT-I plus interpret 25 cardiac
rhythms, cardioversion, cardiac pacing, defibrillation with a manual defibrillator, needle
cricothyrotomy, surgical cricothyrotomy (an incision in the neck for a breathing tube to be inserted),
and chest decompression.  The paramedic also provides medication therapy for cardiac
emergencies including a heart attack, irregular heart rhythms, rapid sequence intubation (RSI),
breathing problems, allergic reactions, seizures, drug overdoses, pain management and diabetic
emergencies.  Go Back


Pride                    Perfection                    Professionalism