Emergency Medical Service Institute (EMSI) is a nonprofit (501.C.3) corporation which provides technical and financial assistance to the development of a coordinated emergency medical services system primarily throughout the 10-county region of southwestern Pennsylvania.

Membership in the Institute is open to representatives of local governments and EMS-affiliated agencies, as well as other organizations and individuals holding a special interest in EMS.

Within its region, EMSI is responsible for:

• Licensure of Ambulances
• Training and Credentialing of EMS Personnel
• Accreditation of Medical Command Hospitals and other Medical Command Facilities
• Accreditation of Training Institutes
• Quality Assurance within the EMS Community
• Public Information and Education
• Data Collection regarding EMS activities

We perform a dual role.  We represent the interests of the Department of Health of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and we represent the interests of both the general public and the EMS / Emergency Response community to the Department of Health. 

Additionally, we offer to the EMS community a major training conference, "EMS Update", every year in March.  We also host various activities to recognize the contributions made by EMS personnel.

Medical Command

• There are 33 medical command facilities accredited by the Department of Health.  Eighteen facilities were re-accredited this year.
• The regional Medical Direction Committee held four meetings.
• 1,942 EMT-Paramedics received medical command authorization.
• 359 medical command physicians were recognized.
• The Hospital Status Condition policy was revised.
• A regional research study on post cardiac arrest care availability was approved.
• Revised ALS and BLS protocols were distributed to stakeholders.
• Medical directors are developing plan for cardiac magnets for all agencies.

System Operations - License