The Villanova Emergency Medical Service (VEMS) is a state-certified Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance licensed to provide emergency medical care on Villanova's campus.

Basic Life Support (BLS) and the EMT

An emergency medical technician (EMT) is an emergency responder trained to provide emergency medical services to the critically ill and injured. Once thought of as an "ambulance driver or attendant," the modern EMT performs many more duties than in the past, and responds to many types of emergency calls, including medical emergencies, hazardous materials exposure, childbirth, child abuse, fires, rescues, injuries, trauma and psychiatric crises.

EMT's are trained in basic medical knowledge and skills. Patient treatment guidelines are described in protocols following both national guidelines and local medical policies. The goal of EMT intervention is to rapidly evaluate a patient's condition and to maintain a patient's airway, breathing and circulation by CPR and defibrillation. In addition, EMT intervention aims to control external bleeding, prevent shock, and prevent further injury or disability by immobilizing potential spinal or other bone fractures, while expediting the safe and timely transport of the patient to a hospital emergency department for definitive medical care.

Regardless of their level of training, an EMT's actions in the field are governed by state and local regulations, and by the policies of their EMS organization. The development of these rules is guided by a physician, often with the advice of a medical advisory committee. A physician acting in direct supervision of an EMT program is referred to as a Medical Director and the supervision provided is referred to as Medical Direction.

Advanced Life Support (ALS) and the Paramedic

A paramedic is an emergency medical technician certified to the highest level of training and responds to medical and trauma emergencies in the pre-hospital setting ("in-field") for the purpose of stabilizing a patient's condition before and during transportation to an appropriate medical facility, usually by ambulance. Paramedics most often will transport patients to an Emergency Department, but "Treat-and-Release" practice can occasionally occur. Paramedics work through standard written protocols from which they usually cannot deviate, but they may use their judgment in the best interest of the patient. Paramedics derive the legal ability to provide advanced life support (ALS) care through a physician's license. Paramedics can work for a city or municipality, a private company, or can be employees of a hospital. Because of the length and intensity of training, most paramedics are not volunteers.

The Volunteer Medical Service Corps of Lower Merion provides ALS services for Lower Merion, Narberth, Conshohocken, West Conshohocken and Radnor Townships, including Villanova University.