The primary task of a paramedic and emergency care worker is to provide pre-hospital emergency care to sick or injured people. Their job is to resuscitate and stabilise the condition of critically ill or injured persons by applying emergency care.
All ambulances are in contact with a central control centre by radio or computer. When receiving a call the nearest available ambulance or rapid response vehicle is despatched to the scene. Upon arrival at the scene an assessment of the patients condition is made, appropriate treatment is applied including basic life-support and treatment of wounds and fractures. Specialised equipment and rescue tools like the "Jaws of Life" can be used to free a person from a wreckage. The patient is then transported to hospital by ambulance. On route treatment is provided and a report on the patient's condition and treatment is supplied to the hospital. After this procedure the ambulance and emergency care worker returns to a base where linen and equipment are replaced.

Different ranks in paramedics
Basic life support

Intermediate life support

Advanced life support

A paramedic and emergency care worker should:
- be in good health (he has to pass a medical test);
- have manual dexterity;
- have sound judgement;
- be sympathetic;
- remain calm;
- think clearly and act quickly, appropriate and purposeful;
- be able to work individually and in a team;
- be reliable and responsible;
- be unselfish;
- be passionate about saving lives