Principles of EMS Systems

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) exists to support quality emergency medical care and to promote the interests of emergency physicians. The Board of Directors has identified values that serve as the guiding principles for the specialty of emergency medicine. These values, and the objectives that follow, are the foundation of ACEP's planning processes and Council and Board actions. The values of the American College of Emergency Physicians are: Quality emergency care is a fundamental right and unobstructed access to emergency services should be available to all patients who perceive the need for emergency services. There is a body of knowledge unique to emergency medicine that requires continuing refinement and development. Physicians entering the practice of emergency medicine should be residency trained in emergency medicine. Quality emergency medicine is best practiced by qualified, credentialed emergency physicians. The best interests of patients are served when emergency physicians practice in a fair, equitable, and supportive environment. Emergency physicians have the responsibility to play the lead roles in the definition, management, evaluation, and improvement of quality emergency care. The ACEP was founded in 1968 and is the world's oldest and largest and largest emergency medicine specialty organization. Today it represents more than 28,000 members and is the emergency medicine specialty society recognized as the acknowledged leader in emergency medicine. Senior Vice President, Clinical and Emergency Services, Director, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Chair, Patient Safety and Quality Committee, Saint Barnabas Health Care System. Attending and Director, Pediatric Care Center, Saint Barnabas Medical Center. Faculty, Emergency Medicine Residency Program, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Newark, New Jersey. EMS/EMSC Medical Consultant, New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Office of Emergency Medical Services. Member, Board of Directors, American College of Emergency Physicians. John A. Brennan, MD, FAAP, FACEP Dr. Brennan is Senior Vice President for Clinical and Emergency Services for Saint Barnabas Health Care System, Livingston, New Jersey, where he is also Director of Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Chair of the Patient Safety and Quality Committee. He is core faculty for the emergency medicine residency program at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Newark, New Jersey, and the EMS/EMSC medical consultant for the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. Dr. Brennan is a member of the Board of Directors of the American College of Emergency Physicians, a member of the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Subboard for the American Board of Emergency Medicine/American Academy of Pediatrics, and a national oral board examiner for the American Board of Emergency Medicine. He is a course director for both Advanced Pediatric Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support, and a former liaison to the American Heart Association’s Emergency Cardiac Care Committee. In 1999, Dr. Brennan was named Outstanding Speaker of the Year by the American College of Emergency Physicians, and received its “Over the Top” speaker award in 2001. He has presented more than 150 state and national lectures on topics in emergency medicine, pediatrics, and EMS, and is the author of numerous journal articles and textbook chapters in these areas of expertise. Dr. Brennan served in the US Air Force from 1989 to 1992 and was the recipient of the US Air Force Professional Scholarship, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and a National Defense Service Medal, and was named Honorary Chief Master Sergeant. He was honorably discharged in 1992 at the rank of Major. Dr. Brennan completed his undergraduate education at LeMoyne College, Syracuse, New York, and received his MD degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine. He completed residency training in emergency medicine at the Los Angeles County/University of Southern California Medical Center, and is board certified in emergency medicine and pediatric emergency medicine. Attending Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Spectrum Health. Director, EMS, MERC/Michigan State University Emergency Medicine Residency Program. Medical Director, Kent County EMS, West Michigan Metropolitan Medical Response Team, Region 6 Terrorism Response Program, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Associate Professor, Section of Emergency Medicine, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan. Jon R. Krohmer, MD, FACEP Dr. Krohmer is an attending physician in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Spectrum Health and Director of EMS for the MERC/Michigan State University Emergency Medicine Residency Program. He is Medical Director for Kent County EMS in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the West Michigan Metropolitan Medical Response Team, and the Region 6 Terrorism Response Program. He is a past chair of the ACEP EMS Committee and the Trauma Care and Injury Control Committee and is currently the ACEP liaison to the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma. He is Past President of the Michigan College of Emergency Physicians and the National Association of EMS Physicians and is a national oral board examiner for the American Board of Emergency Medicine. In 1998, Dr. Krohmer was named recipient of the 1998 ACEP Outstanding Contribution in EMS Award. He received the 2000 MCEP Ronald L. Krome, MD Meritorious Service Award and the 2003 Ronald D. Stewart, MD NAEMSP Leadership Award. He has presented regional, state, national, and international lectures on emergency medicine and EMS and is the author of numerous articles and chapters on EMS. Dr. Krohmer completed his undergraduate education in pharmacy at Ferris State College, Big Rapids, Michigan, and received his MD degree from the University of Michigan Medical School. He completed his emergency medicine residency and an EMS/research fellowship at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. Dr. Krohmer is board certified in emergency medicine.