Star of Life

The Star of Life is the international sign for devices of the emergency services.

It consists of a formed of three bars cross in blue color on a white background, is in the middle of a caduceus in white color.

Importance

The six ends of the star represent the six basic tasks of the rescue service:

  • Fast arrival at the emergency
  • Situational
  • Location message to the control center
  • Initial treatment of patients on site
  • Wide supply on the transport
  • Trade -based transportation to a suitable hospital

History

The Star of Life was developed in 1973 by Leo R. Schwartz for the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the emergency services department he headed at the time. This was due to a complaint from the American Red Cross, which saw affected his rights by the previous use of an orange cross on all life-saving equipment. On February 1, 1977, the Star of Life was added by the American Medical Association as a registered trademark.

Situation in Germany

In Germany, the Star of Life, despite its international importance as a symbol for the emergency services, e by the Federation of independent emergency services and disaster V. ( UCS), a former federal association of independent rescue services eV, protected under the registration numbers 2032229 and 2103438 as a collective mark. It may therefore be used by organizations that are members of this association. The BKS consistently goes against the violation of its trademark rights.

Situation in Switzerland

In Switzerland, the Red Cross emblem was replaced by the Star of Life on all emergency vehicles in the late 80s. The Association Paramedic Switzerland (VRS ) has protected it the Star of Life as a brand in February 2007 in order to avoid claims to be an abusive use. A sole use as a club logo as in Germany is not provided.

Detectability of ambulances

The DIN EN 1789:2007 (replacement for DIN EN 1789:2003-08 ) was in the ( informative ) Annex A of the Star of Life (minimum size 500 mm ) alternative to the symbols of the Red Cross Communities together with reflective letters, numbers, or symbols identifying the vehicle on the roof ( cf. DIN 14035:1981-11 for Germany to the roof lettering with the license plate number! ) proposed. Also to be used along with the word "Ambulance" (or its national translation ) on these vehicles then on the sides and at the rear the corresponding character ( Red Cross Community and Star of Life ). However, the standard only beat the Star of Life on ambulances before, unless a national law is thereby affected. In Germany, however, this is by the brand protection of the UCS the case.

746170
de