[10 years of the ""Munich Emergency Mechical Service: Organization and technic]

On March 30, 1966 an ""emergency doctor'' on duty with the Munich Fire Brigade for the first time rushed to the scene of an accident -- and an organized medical emergency service in Munich was born. Starting with the most modest resources, this service developed to an institution the non-existence of which in the greater Munich area would be inconceivable. Operating from 7 rescue bases fully manned round the clock, the "Munich Medical Emergency Service" together with the "flying doctor" in the rescue helicopter and with the day-and-night emergency service of the association of general practitioners guarantees an optimum medical first aid in the city and rural district of Munich. Originally conceived as a special medical emergency service for accidents, the aid given by the "Fire Brigade Doctors" in emergency situations was increasingly called for in cases of acute critical diseases-during the 10 years of its existence in more than 90.000 cases.