The medical symbol for EMTs, known as the blue ‘Star of Life,’ represents emergency medical services and the critical role EMTs play in saving lives. Featuring a serpent wrapped around a staff in the center of a six-barred cross, the symbol signifies medicine, healing, and the six phases of an emergency response. This emblem is widely recognized on uniforms, vehicles, and equipment, ensuring the public can easily identify emergency medical personnel.
For those pursuing a career in this field, EMT training and certification are essential steps toward becoming a certified emergency care provider. These programs equip aspiring EMTs with the knowledge and skills to respond to emergencies effectively, from on-scene care to patient transport.
The six critical phases of an emergency response symbolized in the six-barred cross of the blue Star of Life are:
- Detection: Witnesses of an emergency request medical assistance by calling 911 or using another communication channel.
- Reporting: Dispatchers collect information from the caller to determine the resources needed at the scene.
- Response: Emergency care resources arrive at the scene. Depending on the circumstances of the emergency, this can be a tiered response with different levels of qualified personnel. Among those wearing the Star of Life on their uniform will be higher-level responders who have completed EMT test prep during their training and passed comprehensive exams before gaining certification as emergency care professionals.
- On-scene care: Necessary procedures and medications are performed before a patient is removed from a scene.
- Care in-transit: Emergency medical vehicles are equipped with oxygen, suction, patient monitoring equipment, drugs, and communications systems that can be used to care for a seriously injured or sick patient while being transported to the hospital.
- Transfer to definitive care: Patients are delivered to trauma centers with certified emergency medical care physicians, trauma nurses, burn specialists, and other medical professionals.
The Star of Life symbol design was adapted from the Medical Identification Symbol of the American Medical Association. It was registered as the certification mark for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) division of the US Department of Transportation (DOT) in 1977.
The Symbol’s Beginnings
A national Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program started to form in the 1960s. The goal was to reduce the number of deaths in emergency situations through effective medical intervention. Until then, people who needed emergency care were transported to a hospital by family or friends in personal vehicles or vehicles operated by funeral homes.
In the late 1970s, the DOT developed standards for dedicated emergency vehicles. It also wasn’t until the 1980s and 1990s that doctors were trained to become emergency medical specialists. During emergencies, it is helpful for other responders, accident victims, and the general public to easily identify EMS personnel because they are wearing blue Star of Life.
Significance of the Symbol
Because the Star of Life is registered, organizations must abide by certain specifications before they can use the symbol in any way. The specifications dictate the color, dimensions, location of the registration mark, and permitted deviations (e.g., title, function, organization, etc.).
The blue symbol can be seen on uniforms, vehicles, medical equipment and supplies, books and manuals, maps, and other locations. It is a way to identify ambulances, emergency medical equipment, emergency medical providers, and informational materials related to emergency care.
In Summary
The Star of Life certifies that the emergency care vehicles meet federal standards and that emergency personnel are trained and certified through a qualified medical care system. It is also seen on signs and maps to identify locations where emergency care can be found.
The NHTSA enforces the use of the symbol to ensure the integrity of and trust in the emergency care system. The NHTSA investigates unauthorized uses and initiates legal action if necessary.
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