Community-Based Needs Assessment: Assisting Communities in Building a Stronger EMS System

摘要

When people call for medical help in a rural area, they expect a rapid response, competent staff, and good equipment from the local Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Too often, their expectations are formed by what they see on TV, not by the reality in their own community. Surprisingly, few EMS systems rely on sound assessment techniques to ensure that they understand and can meet the needs of the community. Rural communities and their EMS agencies need a tool to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses and to provide a clear understanding of the needs of their customers. With this understanding, the EMS service can focus its limited resources and the community can have a greater voice in determining the EMS service it needs and is willing to support.