This year has seen many changes in EMS. New CPR guidelines, changes in popular field medications and treatments and most importantly -  the development of several agencies that are geared towards making a National Scope of Practice for EMS.

The history of EMS deserves an article all by itself. From the days of the Roman Empire to civilian ambulance services in the United States as  early as 1865, right up to the National Highway Safety Act of 1966. EMS has grown and developed into a necessary entity of any  community.

EMS history is founded not only in legislature but more often in deeds. The sad thing is that so many of the heroic deeds performed by EMS  are gone unnoticed.

When I talk about being a hero it's not just September 11th or the Oklahoma Bombing or Katrina. It can be as simple as the cardiac arrest  save, the pinned trauma victim or even the broken childs arm.

Being a hero is not always measured by the size of the act. It more often measured by the patients we treat and the families we come in  contact with. They are the true decision makers of who "their" heroes are.

The thing is, most EMS professionals are not looking to be a hero nor will they accept that title when given to them. Whether by the public  or their peers. EMS is the most unrecognized of all the emergency fields. Yet the recognition we need goes beyond being called a hero. 

We need better pay, better education opportunities, LODD equality, pensions... the list goes on. How do we get these with each state having  their own regulations, their own training standards and their own treatment guidelines. 

How do we better our profession with so many obstacles and so little unity?

 This year several agencies have started on the road to getting EMS were it needs to be. From National Scopes of Practice, to better pay  scales and better education. EMS needs to stop being a stepping stone to other professions and must start being the profession it is.

The NTSHA has started the National EMS Advisory Council, several websites such as CAPEM.org and EmsUnites.com are geared towards  making EMS better and look to the future of what we can and must be.

To accomplish the goals of were we want to be as a profession is going to take more than committees and organizations. It takes  involvement by the individual. You must get involved and take steps to help make the changes needed. Become active in these organizations  and spread the word.

We all know where we've been as a profession. But the days of Johnny and Roy or Mother and Juggs are over. We must look to where we  are headed. Will it be more of the same?

 I don't think so. The path has been set. We as EMS professionals just need to get on it. Together.