At the beginning, the organization operated with 20 modular ambulances equipped with basic medical supplies and radio communication systems. The emergency number assigned was 123, and citizens could call it to report accidents, medical crises, or disasters. The system’s mission was clear: to provide immediate medical attention at the scene, stabilize patients, and transport them safely to the nearest medical center.
A Global Achievement: Iran as the Fourth Country with EMS
The launch of this service marked a historic achievement. Iran became the fourth country in the world—after the United States, Canada, and Australia—to establish a pre-hospital emergency system. This was an extraordinary accomplishment, especially considering that the idea of ambulance-based medical care was still evolving globally.
Interestingly, the Iranian team did not simply import the American model. They analyzed its weaknesses—such as delayed response times and fragmented coordination—and implemented improvements suited to Iran’s urban landscape and healthcare system. The result was a more efficient and integrated system that, in some aspects, outperformed its early American counterpart.
