The Civil War Ambulance Corps: The Transition of a Military Medical Unit into Civilian EMS

Abstract

The Civil War Ambulance Corps: The Transition of a Military Medical Unit into Civilian EMS explores the history of the ambulance beginning with the American Civil War and the transition it made into civilian EMS. Often a neglected focus, the innovative changes that occurred to the ambulance corps during the war gave the Union Army the ability to change the rising casualty rates. This would spark interest in applying similar medical services within civilian society. At the start of the war in 1861, the ambulance corps experienced a lack of set procedures for use in battle. Troubled at this, Dr. Jonathan K. Letterman reconstructed the triage, ambulatory systems, and promoted the use of strict standards of training for ambulance corps personnel. The success of Letterman’s restructured medical units spread throughout the Union Army and saved countless lives from both battle wounds and disease. Directly following the war, Commercial Hospital, having first-hand knowledge of the accomplishment of the new ambulatory system, laid the foundation for the civilian emergency medical service within the United States. By the 1960s, a set of codes and standards for EMS training set in motion the rigorous preparation and education that paramedics would be required of to successfully perform their duties in emergency medicine and pre-hospital care. Due to the changes made by Letterman within the Civil War, the ambulance has become the first link within the “chain of survival” in medical emergency situations.

As part of the project, the development of a public history element includes a timeline presentation of the organization of the ambulance corps beginning during the Civil War and ends in the present day. The timeline, crafted on Prezi, highlights key years and events within the history of the ambulance and provides viewers with supplemental information on important aspects of emergency medical care within war as well as civilian life. Imagery depicting changes within the structure of the ambulance as well as important figures and laws associated with the ambulance are paired with the narrative. A selection of important links referenced within the presentation material as well as general information on the topic is embedded within the Prezi project. The timeline provides viewers with a fun, interactive way to discover the history of the ambulance and the online platform allows for access from any location.