The Competencies of Emergency Medical Technicians in Iranian Emergency Services for Critical Situations Publisher



Khayeri F ; Aein F ; Masoudi R ; Dehnabi A ; Razavi SS ; Kolivand P ; Aliakbari F
Source: Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Sciences Published:2026

Abstract

Background: Emergency medical services (EMS) play a vital role in crisis response; however, the competencies of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in Iran have not been extensively studied. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the competencies of EMTs within Iranian emergency services for critical situations. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 1,693 Iranian EMTs in 2020 using a census approach and the Nursing Competence in Crisis Assessment Tool. Descriptive statistics, including mean, standard deviation, frequency, and percentage, were used, and a multinomial logistic regression was performed. Results: Among the 1,693 EMTs, 85.1% demonstrated strong competence and 14.9% showed moderate competence in critical situations. Multinomial logistic regression indicated that regional differences (P < 0.001) and service location (P = 0.049) were significant predictors of competency. Emergency medical technicians in disaster-prone regions had a higher likelihood of possessing strong competence (OR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.24 - 2.55), and those serving at roadside bases performed better compared to their counterparts at urban bases (OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.11 - 2.36). Education level, years of service, and other demographic variables were not significant predictors of competency levels. Conclusions: The majority of EMTs demonstrated good competence. However, regional and service location-related disparities highlight the need for targeted, simulation-based training in lower-performing provinces and urban bases to improve crisis preparedness. Copyright © 2026, Khayeri et al.