The blue “Star of Life” symbol commonly seen on ambulances was designed in 1973 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It represents the six important stages of emergency medical response, showing how emergency services work together to help people in critical situations.

Each of the six branches represents a different step in the process: detecting an emergency, reporting it, responding, providing care at the scene, arranging transportation, and transferring the patient to a hospital for further treatment.

At the center of the symbol is the Rod of Asclepius, an ancient Greek symbol associated with medicine and healing. It features a single snake wrapped around a staff and represents the medical profession.

The Star of Life was created to give emergency medical services a recognizable symbol that could be easily identified on ambulances, uniforms, and medical equipment. Its blue design has since become widely associated with emergency care and professional first responders.

Today, the symbol serves as a reminder that saving lives involves several coordinated steps, from the moment an emergency is discovered until the patient reaches medical professionals at a hospital.