Rural and Community Health Systems

Dept of Health & Social Services
Division of Public Health
P.O. Box 110616
Juneau, AK 99811-0616

About Alaska Emergency Medical Services

Mission

The mission of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program in Alaska is to reduce both the human suffering and economic loss to society resulting from premature death and disability due to injuries and sudden illness.

The EMS Program engages in myriad activities to ensure that qualified and properly equipped emergency medical services personnel are available to respond to the emergency medical needs of Alaska's citizens and visitors. Some of the activities include:

  • Certifying emergency medical technicians, emergency medical services instructors, emergency medical dispatchers, and ground and air ambulance services;
  • Reviewing and approving Emergency Trauma Technician, Emergency Medical Technician, and Mobile Intensive Care Paramedic courses in Alaska;
  • Administering federal grants;
  • Facilitate training and technical expertise to local EMS agencies.

Assisting the department's Section of Rural and Community Health Systems Programs: Preparedness, EMS, Rural Healthcare Access, and Trauma in these activities are seven Regional EMS Programs and the Governor's Alaska Council on Emergency Medical Services. Working together, these groups can rapidly assess problems and, when provided the appropriate resources, they can affect change quickly and efficiently.

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