Emergency services
Emergency services
Emergency services (pronunciation: /ɪˈmɜːdʒənsi ˈsɜːvɪsɪz/) are public organizations that respond to and manage emergencies, especially those that may cause serious harm to individuals or society.
Etymology
The term "emergency" originates from the Latin word "emergere" which means "to arise, bring to light". The term "service" comes from the Old English "sērvice" meaning "the act of serving".
Definition
Emergency services include three main types: Police, Fire services, and Medical services. These services work together to ensure public safety and health, often coordinated by an emergency management agency.
Police
The Police (pronunciation: /pəˈliːs/) are a constituted body of persons empowered by a state, with the aim to enforce the law, to ensure the safety, health and possessions of citizens, and to prevent crime and civil disorder.
Fire services
Fire services (pronunciation: /ˈfaɪər ˈsɜːvɪsɪz/) are one of the emergency services which aim at preventing and extinguishing fires, rescuing people and animals from dangerous situations, and reducing the impact of disasters.
Medical services
Emergency medical services (pronunciation: /ɪˈmɜːdʒənsi ˈmɛdɪkəl ˈsɜːvɪsɪz/) also known as ambulance services or paramedic services, are emergency services which treat illnesses and injuries that require an urgent medical response, providing out-of-hospital treatment and transport to definitive care.
Related terms
- Emergency management: The organization and management of resources and responsibilities for dealing with all aspects of emergencies.
- Disaster response: The second phase of the disaster management cycle. It consists of a number of elements, for example; warning/evacuation, search and rescue, providing immediate assistance, assessing damage, continuing assistance and the immediate restoration or construction of infrastructure.
- First responder: A person with specialized training who is among the first to arrive and provide assistance at the scene of an emergency.
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