Welcome to the DC Health Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Program! We're dedicated to ensuring the best possible pre-hospital care for every resident and visitor in the District of Columbia.

Our Mission:

To nurture, support, and improve the district’s emergency medical and trauma care system, delivering optimal patient care through:

• Certification: We license and certify all EMS providers in the district.
• Oversight: We monitor EMS education institutions and response organizations.
• Innovation: We identify and address challenges to optimize pre-hospital services.
• Leadership: We strive for excellence and set the standard for patient care.

Our Vision:

To be a national leader in EMS, recognized for:

• Top-notch patient care: Facilitating the provision of the highest quality pre-hospital medical services.
• Community health: Promoting health and preparedness in our communities.
• Valuable information: Educating residents on emergency preparedness.
• Strategic governance: Effectively managing resources to improve public health.
• Knowledge management: Sharing best practices and research to enhance public health.

Our Responsibilities:

We work tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of all by:

• Equipped ambulances: We validate and certify ambulances have the necessary equipment to handle emergencies.
• Rigorous standards: We certify and inspect ambulance organizations to ensure they meet strict standards.
• Continuous education: We review curriculum and course outlines for EMS training sites to ensure that it meets both national and local standards.
• Expert evaluation: We assess the skills and knowledge of medical service providers to ensure they meet national standards before they earn certification.
• Comprehensive support: We offer technical assistance to hospitals, EMS providers, government agencies, and others involved in emergency care.
• District-wide trauma system: We plan and monitor a robust trauma system throughout the District.