Vermont Department of Health – Emergency Medical Services – Burlington, VT

State EMS Regulation and Oversight

The Vermont Office of Emergency Medical Services and Injury Prevention is a division of the Vermont Department of Health, headquartered at 108 Cherry Street in downtown Burlington. This state agency is the primary regulatory body responsible for the oversight of pre-hospital emergency medical care across Vermont. It does not function as an ambulance dispatch center; rather, it sets the standards for the state’s EMS system. The office manages the licensing of all Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), Advanced EMTs, and Paramedics, as well as the licensure of ambulance services and first response agencies.

Key Functions and Programs

The EMS office ensures that emergency care is delivered consistently and safely through several core activities:

• Licensing and Certification: Processing applications and renewals for EMS personnel and agencies via the online licensing portal.
• Protocol Development: Establishing and updating the Statewide Emergency Medical Services Protocols that guide patient care in the field.
• Data Management: Overseeing the SIREN system (Statewide Incident Reporting Network) to track EMS data and improve system performance.
• Education: Approving training programs and instructor coordinators to ensure high educational standards for responders.
• Injury Prevention: Managing programs related to fall prevention, seatbelt usage, and other public health safety initiatives.

Location and Access

The office is located within the main Vermont Department of Health building. Access to the facility is controlled, and visitors must check in at the front desk. While many administrative tasks, such as license renewal, are handled through the state’s online systems, the office is open for administrative inquiries during state business hours. Public parking is available in the nearby Burlington Town Center garage or at metered street spots.