Emergency Medical Technicians have the Star of Life.
This symbol recognized by the American Medical Association, and the Advisory Council within the Department of Health and Human Services, and is encouraged to be used to identify Emergency Medical Services. Federal Specification KKK-A- 1822D requires that the Star of Life be displayed on all ambulances.
What does it mean?
The six barred cross represents the six system function of EMS. Beginning clockwise, each end of the bar is represented by:
Detection
Definitive Care
Reporting
Care in Transit
Response
On Scene Care
It is very much like the chain of survival,
Detection:
The public must recognize there is an emergency or an urgency to a situation that requires immediate medical response. The Emergency Medical Services personnel along with other emergency services personnel provide this information and education.
Reporting:
The person(s) recognizing the situation must have a means of reporting the incident to someone. The most highly recognized system to report to is 911.
Response:
The Emergency Medical Services travels to the situation or incident location.
On Scene Care:
The person or persons involved must receive the appropriate medical attention for their situation.
Care In Transit:
The appropriate care must continue during transport of the patient. This care is designed to stabilize the patient and reduce and/or comfort the progression of the injury/illness.
Transfer to Definitive Care:
Transfer the victim of illness/injury to a higher level.
