What is the difference between an EMT -B, and EMT-D, and a paramedic?

An emergency medical technician or EMT has various certification levels. "EMT -B" stands for emergency medical technician "basic." This is the beginning certification for all EMTs and denotes a level of care at the basic life support level. This certification allows the practitioner to provide care such as splinting injured extremities, provide oxygen, take vital sign measurements, wound care, and other basic life support measures. An "EMT-D," which stands for EMT-defibrillator, has acquired all of the aforementioned EMT -B skills and has additional training and certification in the use of a defibrillator. These EMTs have been trained in the recognition of life threatening arrhythmias and in certain circumstances, can provide an electrical shock to victims of cardiac arrest. An "EMT-I", which stands for EMT-Intermediate, has acquired all of the skills of an EMT-B, as well as additional training and certification to start intravenous lines in the field. Many EMTs hold both the "I" and "D" certifications and are therefore recognized as an "EMT-I/D". An "EMT-P" or paramedic is an individual who has attained the highest level of certification in the pre-hospital environment. Paramedics are trained at the advanced life support level, and can provide many invasive procedures, such as starting intravenous lines and administering medications, in addition to the basic life support skills.

Why does an ambulance go by with its lights and sirens on, only to slow down and return to a normal pace?

During an emergency situation, the EMTs responding to the emergency call are receiving information from the Miami County Sheriff's Office Dispatch. When it is deemed that an emergency response is no longer needed from that unit, the ambulance crew immediately returns to a normal speed and shuts down the lights and sirens. This is a measure taken by the crew to ensure the safety of the public and the ambulance crew.