NFPA 450, developed by the National Fire Protection Association, serves as a comprehensive guide for the development and evaluation of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) systems. It provides a framework for integrating EMS into a community’s overall healthcare and public safety infrastructure, emphasizing coordinated, patient-centered care.

This guide outlines best practices, system design elements, medical oversight, quality improvement, and resource management. NFPA 450 is not a mandatory standard, but rather a consensus-based reference document intended to assist stakeholders—including EMS agencies, fire departments, public health officials, and policymakers—in creating and sustaining efficient, high-quality EMS systems.

Whether applied in urban or rural settings, NFPA 450 promotes interagency cooperation, continuous improvement, and evidence-based practices to enhance emergency response outcomes.