Purpose

105 CMR 170.000 is issued for the purpose of establishing a statewide, community-based Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system, in order to reduce death and disability from illness and injury through the coordination of local and regional emergency medical services resources. It is designed to ensure that properly trained and certified EMS personnel, operating under medical oversight, provide emergency medical care to patients at the scene of their illness or injury, and during transport to appropriate health care facilities. It establishes standards for EMS vehicles and equipment, and standards to ensure safe, adequate transport to an appropriate health care facility in the shortest practicable time. 105 CMR 170.000 also provides for scheduled, routine transport of non-emergent patients to appropriate destinations.