Dispatch and Response

What is the primary method of communication between EMS personnel and dispatch?

• Hand signals

• Email

• Radio communications system

• Cellular telephones

What should EMS personnel do if the radio communications system fails?

• Use hand signals

• Wait for instructions

• Use cellular telephones

• Return to the station

What language should all communication be in?

• 10-code

• Morse code

• Plain English

• Medical jargon

What should a crew member do upon being dispatched to a call?

• Wait for further instructions

• Acknowledge receipt of the call

• Start driving immediately

• Check the vehicle's fuel level

What should the crew say when they are en route to a call?

• "Comm. Center, Medic ___ leaving station."

• "Comm. Center, Medic ___ in route to; repeat address to the dispatcher, Mileage is .."

• "Comm. Center, Medic ___ on the way."

• "Comm. Center, Medic ___ needs directions."

What should be done when arriving on scene?

• Take a break

• Call medical control

• Start patient care without notification

• Notify dispatch with the location name and mileage

What should the crew notify dispatch when departing the scene?

• "Comm. Center, Medic ____ needs directions to hospital."

• "Comm. Center, Medic ____ transporting (number of patients) Non-emergency or Emergency to destination."

• "Comm. Center, Medic ____ on the way to hospital."

• "Comm. Center, Medic ____ leaving scene."

What should be communicated upon arrival at the destination?

• The number of patients

• "Comm. Center, Medic ___ is out at __________, Mileage is ."

• The condition of the patients

• Nothing, start patient transfer immediately

What should the crew do if no transport occurred?

• Wait for the next call on scene

• Take a break

• Return to the station without notification

• Notify dispatch with a brief disposition

What are EMS personnel expected to do in the event of both radio and cellular phone failure?

• Wait for someone to fix the communication systems

• Make sound and reasonable judgment to accomplish their mission

• Use public phones to contact dispatch

• Return to the station immediately