Sometimes the ambulance drives with lights and sirens, and sometimes they don't. What's the difference?

Lights and sirens are only used in emergent situations, which means that the situation is time sensitive, and the transportation needs to be faster than normal. We always try to get to the patient and then to the hospital as quickly and safely as possible, but it's not always necessary to use the lights and sirens.  Whether to use our lights and sirens is decided on a case by case basis based on the information that we have available to us either on our way to a call, or after we meet our patient.

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1. What does EMS stand for?
2. Where did the Star of Life symbol on ambulances come from?
3. What should the public know about Paramedics?
4. What do I do while driving when an emergency vehicle approaches with lights and sirens on?
5. What’s the difference between a paramedic and an ambulance driver?
6. Why do I see the paramedics in the grocery store when they’re on duty?
7. Why does more than just an ambulance come when I call 911?
8. Sometimes the ambulance drives with lights and sirens, and sometimes they don't. What's the difference?
9. Why don’t the paramedics run to treat patients?
10. Do I get to choose which hospital you take me to?
11. If I or someone I care for has special medical needs, how do I let the Paramedics know?
12. If I go to the hospital in the ambulance, will I be seen by a doctor sooner?
13. How do I become a paramedic?