14 Reasons Why a Robust EMS System Defines a Resilient and Equitable Society

Increasingly, EMS is the first responder to complex mental health crises and substance abuse emergencies in communities worldwide. When an individual is experiencing acute psychosis, suicidal ideation, or a drug overdose, EMS crews are called to the scene. Their role extends beyond medical treatment to include crisis de-escalation, rapid administration of life-saving antidotes (like Naloxone), and ensuring the individual is safely transported to the most appropriate facility, whether that is a hospital emergency department or a specialized psychiatric facility, thereby diverting these sensitive calls from law enforcement when medical aid is paramount.