There are nearly 400 National Parks in the NPS, many of which have EMS systems. These parks generally have a Local EMS Medical Advisor (LEMA) this site has been created for the following reasons;

• As a reference for current LEMA’s
• As an information source for physician’s who are considering becoming a LEMA.
• As an access point for those who may be interested in upcoming NPS EMS activities, field manuals, conferences and specific EMS scope of practice descriptions.

2025 FM-51

2022 FM-51

Medical Advisor Handbook
A document written as a reference guide and information source for LEMA’s. Describes the duties and responsibilities of a LEMA.

Directors Order 51 (DO-51)
A document signed by the director of the National Park Service outlining EMS policy within the NPS.

Reference Manual 51 (RM-51)
A document designed to cover all aspects of NPS/EMS with specific details aimed at how to follow DO-51.

Tactical EMS 
(Under Revision)

These are modules designed to train NPS EMS providers to perform specific skills and should be utilized by LEMA’s.

• Epinephrine Training Video
• Epinephrine Exam
• Tactical Medicine Training Video
  TEMS Overview
  TEMS Skill Sheet Station 1-Bleading Control
  TEMS Skill Sheet Station 2-Chest Trauma
  TEMS Skill Sheet Station 3-IFAK Protocols
  TEMS Categories for CE’s
  TEMS Drill – “How to” Video Module
• Dislocations Training Video
• Dislocation Exam

Multi-Casualty Incident (MCI) Drills

• Introduction to the Incident Command System
• NPS MCI Policy
• START Triage Lecture
• MCI Drill Sample Scenarios
• NPS MCI Drill Manual
• NPS MCI Policy Form

• Naloxone
• Portable Hyperbaric Chamber

Wilderness First Responder to Emergency Medical Responder Transition Modules

• Training Module

The Parkmedic Primary Certification Course is held every other January in odd years at UCSF Fresno/Community Regional Medical Center. All other courses are offered locally at various parks.

• National Parkmedic Primary Certification Course
• Parkmedic Refreshers
• EMT Refreshers
• Multi-Casualty Incident (MCI) Drills
• Continuing Education

This group holds monthly conference calls to discuss, update and plan NPS EMS. It serves as the primary advisory committee to the Branch Chief for EMS services in Washington, DC (WASO). Membership to the committee is designated in RM-51 and includes EMS representatives from each region of the National Park System and the National Medical Advisors.

Since 1997 approximately once per year, the NPS has held EMS workshops designed as a venue for discussion, presentation of new projects/ideas and prioritizing NPS EMS work. Additionally these conferences provide some CME and an opportunity for the NPS EMS Advisory Committee to both update and take questions from LEMA’s and EMS Coordinators throughout the NPS system.

Endnote Library of Core Wilderness Medicine Articles 

NASEMSO – National Association of State EMS Officials

NPS – National Park Service

NREMT – National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians