Designation:F1552−94(Reapproved2016)StandardPracticeforTrainingInstructorQualificationandCertificationEligibilityofEmergencyMedicalDispatchers1ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationF1552;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginaladoptionor,inthecaseofrevision,theyearoflastrevision.Anumberinparenthesesindicatestheyearoflastreapproval.Asuperscriptepsilon(´)indicatesaneditorialchangesincethelastrevisionorreapproval.INTRODUCTIONTheemergencymedicaldispatcher(EMD)istheprincipallinkbetweenthepublicrequestingemergencymedicalassistanceandtheemergencymedicalservices(EMS)system.TheEMDplaysakeyroleintheabilityoftheEMSsystemtorespondtoaperceivedmedicalemergency.Thebenefitsofspecificallytrainedemergencymedicaldispatchersarefarreaching.Throughmedicaldispatch,specificeducation,andcompliancetomedicallysoundpoliciesandprocedures,theEMDisabletoaccuratelyinterrogatethecaller,dispatchtheappropriateresponders,providepertinentinformationtoresponders,andgiveinstructionstoaidpatientsviathecaller.ThispracticeprovidesdirectionforthetrainingandcertificationofemergencymedicaldispatcherstoassisttheminmakingappropriatedecisionsaboutEMSresponsesinasafe,consistentandnon-arbitrarymanner.EMSsystemswithemergencymedicaldispatcherstrainedtothispracticeprovidepre-arrivalinstructionstothecallertoassistthepatientuntilpre-hospitalcarearrives.TheEMDconceptprovidesforsafervehicleresponseconfigurationsandmodes.ItmayreduceoperatingcostsbypreservingspecializedEMSresourcesforthoseemergenciesrequiringthem.TheEMDtrainingcurriculumisnotintendedtofurnishallinclusivetelecommunicationseducationrequiredfortheemergencymedicaldispatcherorpublicsafetytelecommunicator.EMDtrainingprovidesonlytheadditionaleducationaffectingthepracticeofdispatchingemergencymedicalresourcessuchasambulances,rescueunits,firstresponderunitsandothertypesofrespondingunitsofanemergencymedicalnature;coordinatingtheseresponseunitswiththoseofotherpublicsafetyagencies;andprovidinginstructionstothecallingpartytoassist...
