Emergency medical dispatcher

Emergency medical dispatcher (EMD) is a professional telecommunicator, tasked with the gathering of information related to medical emergencies, the provision of assistance and instructions by voice, prior to the arrival of EMS, and the dispatching and support of EMS resources responding to an emergency call.

Role and Responsibilities

The primary role of an EMD is to ensure the appropriate medical response is dispatched as quickly as possible. They are responsible for determining the nature and severity of a call, dispatching the appropriate emergency resources, and providing the caller with instructions to assist the patient until the responding EMS resources arrive.

Training and Certification

Training for an EMD typically includes completion of a specified course of study and passing a certification exam. The certification process often includes demonstrating proficiency in emergency medical dispatching and emergency medical procedures, as well as maintaining continuing education requirements.

See Also

• Emergency medical services
• Emergency medical technician
• Paramedic

References

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  Emergency medical dispatcher at work in a 911 dispatch center.
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  Computer-aided dispatch system interface.
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  An emergency dispatch center in Finland.
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  Rettungsleitstelle, a German emergency dispatch center.