BACKGROUND: In Shenzhen, the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) system has been in service since 1997. This study aims to examine the operation of Shenzhen 120 EMS center and to identify the reasons of calling EMS. METHODS: In this retrospective quantitative descriptive study, the data from the Shenzhen 120 EMS registry in 2011 were analyzed. RESULTS: Shenzhen 120 EMS center is a communication command center. When the number of 120 are dialed, it is forwarded to the closest appropriate hospital for ambulance dispatch. In 2011, the Shenzhen 120 EMS center received 153160 ambulance calls, with an average of 420 calls per day. Calling emergency services was mainly due to traffic accidents. Trauma and other acute diseases constituted a majority of ambulance transports. The adult patients aged 15–60 years are the principal users of EMS. There are no recognized 'paramedic' doctors and nurses. The pre-hospital emergency service is under the operation of emergency departments of hospitals. Shenzhen at present does not have specialized pre-hospital training for doctors and nurses in post-trauma management. Moreover, specialized pre-hospital training, financial support, and public health education on proper use of EMS should be emphasized. CONCLUSION: The Shenzhen 120 EMS center has its own epidemiology characteristics. Traumatic injury and traffic accident are the main reasons for calling ambulance service. In-depth study emphasizing the distribution and characteristics of trauma patients is crucial to the future development of EMS.

Problem: Emergency medical teams (EMTs) deployed to mass casualty incidents (MCIs) are required to work outside their usual settings and according to different principles, which may affect their performance and the survival of casualties. Prior to 2013, training offered to domestic EMTs was limited to ad hoc and infrequent simulation exercises. Context: Domestic EMTs are activated from public tertiary hospitals to provide pre-hospital medical support to the Singapore Civil Defence Force and establish a first-aid post (FAP) for triaging, stabilizing and treating casualties. These casualties are then evacuated to public hospitals for further management. Action: Recognizing the need for a more systematic approach to the training of domestic EMTs, the Disaster Medical Responder’s Course (the Course) was developed as a multi-institutional collaboration to equip EMT members attending a MCI with the necessary skills to perform effectively at the FAP. Outcome: The Course was first run in 2013 and is usually offered six to eight times a year. Since June 2019, a total of 414 health-care staff and allied health professionals have participated. There have been numerous revisions of the course content and delivery to reflect the latest concepts in operations and global best practice, as well as developments in educational methodologies. Discussion: Preparedness is crucial to optimize the survival and outcomes of casualties. The Course provides standardized training of domestic EMTs and plays a pivotal role in ensuring operational readiness for MCIs in Singapore.