ASTM F1220-95(2014)

Standard Guide for Emergency Medical Services System (EMSS) Telecommunications

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 In situations in which the coordination of EMSS communications among political subdivisions affects the health and safety of the state’s population, it is appropriate for state government to take a coordinating role. Statewide planning for coordinated use of radio frequencies for EMSS communications is specifically needed.  
5.2 The state is the logical unit to formulate the statutory and regulatory framework for EMSS planning. State planning for area-wide EMSS communications provides authority to accomplish coordination in the use of available radio frequencies, thus promoting multiagency cooperation to best serve the public needs.  
5.3 With statewide planning, communities, counties, and multicounty EMSS regions are provided with guidance to achieve the performance goals and objectives of their EMSS communications systems.  
5.4 The statewide EMSS communications performance goals and objectives in Sections 10 – 15 address specific roles of state governments in EMSS communications systems planning. These performance goals and objectives should be considered by states for evaluating, planning, and implementing of acceptable EMSS communications statewide.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers telecommunications practices and performance standards required to support all of the functions of community EMSS on a statewide basis. It defines state planning goals and objectives for EMSS communications.  
1.2 This guide is for planning, coordinating, integrating, and evaluating telecommunications resources statewide to satisfy the functional needs of comprehensive community EMSS systems.  
1.3 To facilitate a two-tiered planning approach recommended for EMSS communications, this guide identifies those communications system features that should be coordinated on a statewide basis and defined in statewide (first tier) EMSS communications planning guidelines. Local (second tier) EMSS communications plans prepared in accordance with the statewide guidelines should then be tailored to satisfy local EMSS needs while providing compatibility and interoperability of communications with other EMSS.  
1.4 The sections in this guide appear in the following sequence:    
Section  
Scope  
1  
Referenced Documents  
2  
Terminology  
3  
Summary of Guide  
4  
Significance and Use  
5  
Functions and Categories of EMSS Communications  
6  
Telecommunications Functions  
6.1  
Telecommunications Categories  
6.2  
EMSS Functional Communications Requirements  
7  
General Information  
7.1  
Citizen Access  
7.2  
EMSS Vehicle Dispatch and Coordination  
7.3  
Medical Coordination/Direction  
7.4  
Interservice Communications  
7.5  
Radio Frequency Spectrum and Service Requirements  
8  
Radio Frequencies  
8.1  
EMSS Radio Service Coverage  
8.2  
Operational Considerations  
8.3  
Goals and Objectives for EMSS Communications  
9  
Goal 1—State EMSS Communication Should Meet Recognized Standards for Functional Performance  
10  
Goal 2—Local EMSS Communications Should be Compatible with, and Should Not Interfere with, EMSS Communications in Neighboring Area  
11  
Goal 3—Local EMSS Communications Systems Should be Compatible with, and Should Not Interfere with, Other Types of Communications Systems  
12  
Goal 4—EMSS Communications Systems Should Make Maximum Use of State and Common Resources Where Appropriate, Cost Effective, and Authorized  
13  
Goal 5—The State Should Act as the Representative of Local EMSS in Dealing with Federal Agencies and National Organizations  
14  
Goal 6—The State Should Have a Program for Positive Management of Its EMSS Communications Activities  
15  
Emergency Medical Radio Services (EMRS) Radio Frequencies (MHz)  
Appendix X1  
Acronyms and Glossary for EMSS Communications  
Appendix X2  
References  
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of ...

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-May-2014
• ICS: 33.040.35 - Telephone networks
• Technical Committee: F30 - Emergency Medical Services
• Drafting Committee: F30.04 - Communications

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: F1220 − 95 (Reapproved 2014)
Standard Guide for
Emergency Medical Services System (EMSS)
Telecommunications
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1220; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
Operational Considerations 8.3
Goals and Objectives for EMSS Communications 9
1.1 This guide covers telecommunications practices and
Goal 1—State EMSS Communication Should Meet
performance standards required to support all of the functions Recognized Standards for Functional Performance 10
Goal 2—Local EMSS Communications Should be
of community EMSS on a statewide basis. It defines state
Compatible with, and Should Not Interfere with, EMSS
planning goals and objectives for EMSS communications.
Communications in Neighboring Area 11
Goal 3—Local EMSS Communications Systems
1.2 Thisguideisforplanning,coordinating,integrating,and
Should be Compatible with, and Should Not Interfere
evaluating telecommunications resources statewide to satisfy
with, Other Types of Communications Systems 12
Goal 4—EMSS Communications Systems Should
the functional needs of comprehensive community EMSS
Make Maximum Use of State and Common Resources
systems.
Where Appropriate, Cost Effective, and Authorized 13
Goal 5—The State Should Act as the Representative
1.3 To facilitate a two-tiered planning approach recom-
of Local EMSS in Dealing with Federal Agencies and
mended for EMSS communications, this guide identifies those
National Organizations 14
Goal 6—The State Should Have a Program for
communications system features that should be coordinated on
Positive Management of Its EMSS Communications
a statewide basis and defined in statewide (first tier) EMSS
Activities 15
communications planning guidelines. Local (second tier)
Emergency Medical Radio Services (EMRS) Radio
Frequencies (MHz) Appendix X1
EMSS communications plans prepared in accordance with the
Acronyms and Glossary for EMSS Communications Appendix X2
statewide guidelines should then be tailored to satisfy local
References
EMSS needs while providing compatibility and interoperabil-
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
ity of communications with other EMSS.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.4 The sections in this guide appear in the following
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
sequence:
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
Section bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Scope 1
2. Referenced Documents
Referenced Documents 2
Terminology 3 2.1 ASTM Standards:
Summary of Guide 4
F1031 Practice for Training the Emergency Medical Tech-
Significance and Use 5
nician (Basic)
Functions and Categories of EMSS Communications 6
Telecommunications Functions 6.1
F1149 Practice for Qualifications, Responsibilities, and Au-
Telecommunications Categories 6.2
thority of Individuals and Institutions Providing Medical
EMSS Functional Communications Requirements 7
Direction of Emergency Medical Services
General Information 7.1
Citizen Access 7.2
F1221 Guide for Interagency Information Exchange
EMSS Vehicle Dispatch and Coordination 7.3
F1229 Guide for Qualification and Training of EMS Air
Medical Coordination/Direction 7.4
Medical Patient Care Providers
Interservice Communications 7.5
Radio Frequency Spectrum and Service Requirements 8
F1254 Practice for Performance of Prehospital Manual De-
Radio Frequencies 8.1 3
fibrillation (Withdrawn 2007)
EMSS Radio Service Coverage 8.2
F1258 Practice for Emergency Medical Dispatch
1 2
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F30 on Emergency For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Medical Services and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F30.04 on contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Communications. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved June 1, 2014. Published June 2014. Originally the ASTM website.
published as F1220 – 89. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as F1220 – 95 The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
(2006). DOI: 10.1520/F1220-95R14. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F1220 − 95 (2014)
F1287 Guide for Scope of Performance of First Responders coordinated use of radio frequencies for EMSS communica-
Who Provide Emergency Medical Care tions is specifically needed.
F1381 Guide for Planning and Developing 9-1-1 Enhanced
5.2 The state is the logical unit to formulate the statutory
Telephone Systems (Withdrawn 2008)
and regulatory framework for EMSS planning. State planning
F1418 Guide for Training the Emergency Medical Techni-
for area-wide EMSS communications provides authority to
cian (Basic) in Roles and Responsibilities (Withdrawn
accomplish coordination in the use of available radio
2007)
frequencies, thus promoting multiagency cooperation to best
F1453 Guide for Training and Evaluation of First Respond-
serve the public needs.
ers Who Provide Emergency Medical Care
5.3 With statewide planning, communities, counties, and
F1517 GuideforScopeofPerformanceofEmergencyMedi-
multicounty EMSS regions are provided with guidance to
cal Services Ambulance Operators
achieve the performance goals and objectives of their EMSS
F1552 Practice for Training Instructor Qualification and
communications systems.
Certification Eligibility of Emergency Medical Dispatch-
ers 5.4 The statewide EMSS communications performance
F1560 Practice for Emergency Medical Dispatch Manage- goals and objectives in Sections10–15 address specific roles
ment
of state governments in EMSS communications systems plan-
ning. These performance goals and objectives should be
2.2 Federal Standards:
considered by states for evaluating, planning, and implement-
CommunicationsActof1934 (47U.S.C.405)(asamended)
ing of acceptable EMSS communications statewide.
Title 47, United States Code of Federal Regulations (47
CFR) on Telecommunications
6. Functions and Categories of EMSS Communications
3. Terminology
6.1 Telecommunications Functions—Thereport“Communi-
cations in Support of Emergency Medical Services,” given in
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
Ref (1), defines the following EMSS functions that require
3.1.1 goal—a statement of broad direction, general purpose,
telecommunications:
or intent. A goal is general and timeless and is not concerned
6.1.1 Medical emergencies requiring EMSS response
with a specific achievement within a given time period.
should be reported immediately to appropriate community
3.1.2 objective—astatementofdesiredaccomplishmentthat
agencies that manage and control EMSS resources and ser-
can be measured within a specified time frame and under
vices.
determinable conditions.The attainment of an objective moves
6.1.2 Appropriate EMSS resources should respond to hu-
the system toward a directly related goal.
man health emergencies at any time and place.
3.1.3 Communications terminology used in this guide and
6.1.3 Recognition of the need for and immediate response
references are defined in Appendix X1, Acronyms and Glos-
by EMSS resources to life threatening and serious injuries and
sary for EMSS Communications.
illness should be provided within a time period that will ensure
the greatest saving of lives and reduction of morbidity.
4. Summary of Guide
6.1.4 EMSS and other health agencies and professionals
should marshal their individual and collective resources (staff,
4.1 This guide identifies the functions and requirements of
equipment, supplies, and facilities) and coordinate their re-
EMSS telecommunications. Observance of the state EMSS
sponses in the shortest effective time to meet individual and
communications planning goals and objectives contained in
mass medical emergency needs.
this guide permits planning and implementation of compatible,
6.1.5 Emergency medical dispatchers should have special
interoperable, and reliable local EMSS communications which
training to provide guidance and direction to persons at the
meet local needs while not interfering with the needs of
scene of a medical emergency pending arrival of trained
adjoining EMSS.
prehospital EMSS personnel.
4.2 EMSS communications should satisfy all of the perfor-
6.1.6 EMSS must be coordinated with other community
mance goals and objectives specified by those who use it and
public safety emergency response services.
those who are served by it. However, many constraints such as
6.1.7 The use of EMSS facilities (emergency departments,
costs, political, demographic and social preferences, existing
intensive care, and coronary care units, burn and trauma
legislation and time, limit what can be achieved.
facilities, and so forth) should be coordinated so as to avoid
preventable delays in access to definitive emergency medical
5. Significance and Use
care.
5.1 In situations in which the coordination of EMSS com-
6.1.8 For life threatening and serious medical emergencies
municationsamongpoliticalsubdivisionsaffectsthehealthand
and in other instances requiring invasive prehospital emer-
safety of the state’s population, it is appropriate for state
gency medical care, appropriate physiological data and patient
government to take a coordinating role. Statewide planning for
assessment information should be collected and transmitted
4 5
AvailablefromU.S.GovernmentPrintingOfficeSuperintendentofDocuments, The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the references at the end of this
732 N. Capitol St., NW, Mail Stop: SDE, Washington, DC 20401. guide.
F1220 − 95 (2014)
from the site of the emergency to the EMSS facility providing without familiarity with a particular community. Local,
on-line medical direction. statewide, and nationwide uniformity is needed to accomplish
this objective.
6.1.9 Telecommunications relating to EMSS should be
recorded, documented, saved, and used by EMSS managers to
7.2.2 For several years, numerous governmental
review, evaluate, revise, and reorganize EMSS as necessary to
commissions, legislative bodies, private organizations, and
meet changing conditions and needs.
citizen groups have recommended the establishment of a
6.1.10 Telecommunications should exist between EMSS single, universal “Nationwide 9-1-1 Emergency Telephone
Number” to meet this need for improved emergency commu-
facilitiesandtransportvehiclesforsafeinterhospitaltransferof
patients with life threatening and serious medical emergencies. nications. The achievement of this recommendation was stated
as a matter of national policy in Bulletin No. 73-1 “National
6.1.11 Telecommunications should be used as needed, to
Policy for Emergency Telephone Number ‘911’” issued by the
improve utilization of all EMSS resources and to prevent or
Executive Office of the President on March 21, 1973. The
mitigate adverse effects of medical emergencies.
“nine-one-one” concept provides a single number that is easy
6.2 Telecommunications Categories—Based on the above
to use and remember. Moreover, implementation of the three-
EMSSneeds,thefollowingcategoriesofinformationexchange
digit emergency telephone number 9-1-1, encourages coordi-
requiring telecommunications are defined in Ref (1) as being
natedeffortsbetweenthoseprovidingcommunicationsservices
necessary to support of EMS operations.
and emergency responses. The 9-1-1 concept should be in-
6.2.1 EMSS Access—Exchanges of information related to
cluded in EMSS communication planning with other methods
public access for reporting emergency medical situations to
of citizen access, primarily for its impact on response time and
appropriate EMSS response organizations.
enhanced coordination among participants. Citizen access
6.2.2 EMSS Dispatch and Control—Exchanges of informa-
communications, primarily uses telephones, both public and
tion related to reducing response time, such as alerting,
private, to call 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP).
dispatching, and controlling the movement of EMS vehicles.
7.2.3 On the nation’s highways, citizen access to EMSS is
6.2.3 Medical Coordination/Direction—Exchanges of infor-
facilitated by use of mobile communications services that
mation related to the emergency patient and his care, such as
enable drivers to rapidly report observed motor vehicle acci-
transmission of physiological information and exchange of
dents and other emergency conditions to public safety service
patient assessment information and treatment information be-
providers. In areas having cellular telephone coverage, motor
tween EMS personnel at the scene and physicians providing
vehicle occupants with cellular telephone may make direct
on-line medical direction.
calls to the local 9-1-1 PSAP.This use of cellular telephone for
6.2.4 EMSS Resource Coordination—Exchanges of infor-
accessing public safety services is being facilitated through
mation necessary for the effective coordination of all EMS
rule changes initiated in 1994 by provisions of the Federal
resources.
Communications Commission Rules under RM-8143 Docket
6.2.5 Interservice Coordination—Exchanges of information
No. 94-102; to ensure compatibility of cellular 9-1-1 calls with
for coordination of EMS activities with police, fire, govern-
enhanced 911 emergency calling systems. Also, Citizen Band
ment agencies, and other resources, such as public utilities and
(CB) mobile radio operators can report observed emergencies
private contractors.
to volunteer CB base station radio monitors who in turn relay
6.2.6 Disaster Coordination—Exchanges of information re- the information to appropriate public safety response agencies
lated to the coordination of EMS activities with those of local, via the 9-1-1 emergency telephone number or some other
state, and national disaster response authorities. prearranged telephone number. Similarly, mobile equipped
amateur radio operators can report observed emergencies to
appropriate public safety authorities via the 9-1-1 emergency
7. EMSS Functional Communications Requirements
telephone number using amateur radio/telephone interconnect
7.1 An EMSS communications system should provide the
services. Finally, motorists not equipped with mobile radio
means by which emergency resources can be accessed,
communications, can report emergencies by stopping at the
mobilized, managed, and coordinated. To accomplish this, a
nearest roadside s
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F1220 − 95 (Reapproved 2006) F1220 − 95 (Reapproved 2014)
Standard Guide for
Emergency Medical Services System (EMSS)
Telecommunications
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1220; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This guide covers telecommunications practices and performance standards required to support all of the functions of
community EMSS on a statewide basis. It defines state planning goals and objectives for EMSS communications.
1.2 This guide is for planning, coordinating, integrating, and evaluating telecommunications resources statewide to satisfy the
functional needs of comprehensive community EMSS systems.
1.3 To facilitate a two-tiered planning approach recommended for EMSS communications, this guide identifies those
communications system features that should be coordinated on a statewide basis and defined in statewide (first tier) EMSS
communications planning guidelines. Local (second tier) EMSS communications plans prepared in accordance with the statewide
guidelines should then be tailored to satisfy local EMSS needs while providing compatibility and interoperability of
communications with other EMSS.
1.4 The sections in this guide appear in the following sequence:
Section
Scope 1
Referenced Documents 2
Terminology 3
Summary of Guide 4
Significance and Use 5
Functions and Categories of EMSS Communications 6
Telecommunications Functions 6.1
Telecommunications Categories 6.2
EMSS Functional Communications Requirements 7
General Information 7.1
Citizen Access 7.2
EMSS Vehicle Dispatch and Coordination 7.3
Medical Coordination/Direction 7.4
Interservice Communications 7.5
Radio Frequency Spectrum and Service Requirements 8
Radio Frequencies 8.1
EMSS Radio Service Coverage 8.2
Operational Considerations 8.3
Goals and Objectives for EMSS Communications 9
Goal 1—State EMSS Communication Should Meet
Recognized Standards for Functional Performance 10
Goal 2—Local EMSS Communications Should be
Compatible with, and Should Not Interfere with, EMSS
Communications in Neighboring Area 11
Goal 3—Local EMSS Communications Systems
Should be Compatible with, and Should Not Interfere
with, Other Types of Communications Systems 12
Goal 4—EMSS Communications Systems Should
Make Maximum Use of State and Common Resources
Where Appropriate, Cost Effective, and Authorized 13
Goal 5—The State Should Act as the Representative
of Local EMSS in Dealing with Federal Agencies and
National Organizations 14
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F30 on Emergency Medical Services and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F30.04 on
Communications.
Current edition approved March 1, 2006June 1, 2014. Published March 2006June 2014. Originally published as F1220 – 89. Last previous edition approved in 20012006
as F1220 – 95 (2001).(2006). DOI: 10.1520/F1220-95R06.10.1520/F1220-95R14.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F1220 − 95 (2014)
Goal 6—The State Should Have a Program for
Positive Management of Its EMSS Communications
Activities 15
Emergency Medical Radio Services (EMRS) Radio
Frequencies (MHz) Appendix X1
Acronyms and Glossary for EMSS Communications Appendix X2
References
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
F1031 Practice for Training the Emergency Medical Technician (Basic)
F1149 Practice for Qualifications, Responsibilities, and Authority of Individuals and Institutions Providing Medical Direction of
Emergency Medical Services
F1221 Guide for Interagency Information Exchange
F1229 Guide for Qualification and Training of EMS Air Medical Patient Care Providers
F1254 Practice for Performance of Prehospital Manual Defibrillation (Withdrawn 2007)
F1258 Practice for Emergency Medical Dispatch
F1287 Guide for Scope of Performance of First Responders Who Provide Emergency Medical Care
F1381 Guide for Planning and Developing 9-1-1 Enhanced Telephone Systems (Withdrawn 2008)
F1418 Guide for Training the Emergency Medical Technician (Basic) in Roles and Responsibilities (Withdrawn 2007)
F1453 Guide for Training and Evaluation of First Responders Who Provide Emergency Medical Care
F1517 Guide for Scope of Performance of Emergency Medical Services Ambulance Operations
F1552 Practice for Training Instructor Qualification and Certification Eligibility of Emergency Medical Dispatchers
F1560 Practice for Emergency Medical Dispatch Management
2.2 Federal Standards:
Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 405) (as amended)
Title 47, United States Code of Federal Regulations (47 CFR) on Telecommunications
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 goal—a statement of broad direction, general purpose, or intent. A goal is general and timeless and is not concerned with
a specific achievement within a given time period.
3.1.2 objective—a statement of desired accomplishment that can be measured within a specified time frame and under
determinable conditions. The attainment of an objective moves the system toward a directly related goal.
3.1.3 Communications terminology used in this guide and references are defined in Appendix X1, Acronyms and Glossary for
EMSS Communications.
4. Summary of Guide
4.1 This guide identifies the functions and requirements of EMSS telecommunications. Observance of the state EMSS
communications planning goals and objectives contained in this guide permits planning and implementation of compatible,
interoperable, and reliable local EMSS communications which meet local needs while not interfering with the needs of adjoining
EMSS.
4.2 EMSS communications should satisfy all of the performance goals and objectives specified by those who use it and those
who are served by it. However, many constraints such as costs, political, demographic and social preferences, existing legislation
and time, limit what can be achieved.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 In situations in which the coordination of EMSS communications among political subdivisions affects the health and safety
of the state’s population, it is appropriate for state government to take a coordinating role. Statewide planning for coordinated use
of radio frequencies for EMSS communications is specifically needed.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
Available from U.S. Government Printing Office Superintendent of Documents, 732 N. Capitol St., NW, Mail Stop: SDE, Washington, DC 20401.
F1220 − 95 (2014)
5.2 The state is the logical unit to formulate the statutory and regulatory framework for EMSS planning. State planning for
area-wide EMSS communications provides authority to accomplish coordination in the use of available radio frequencies, thus
promoting multiagency cooperation to best serve the public needs.
5.3 With statewide planning, communities, counties, and multicounty EMSS regions are provided with guidance to achieve the
performance goals and objectives of their EMSS communications systems.
5.4 The statewide EMSS communications performance goals and objectives in Sections 10 – 15 address specific roles of state
governments in EMSS communications systems planning. These performance goals and objectives should be considered by states
for evaluating, planning, and implementing of acceptable EMSS communications statewide.
6. Functions and Categories of EMSS Communications
6.1 Telecommunications Functions—The report “Communications in Support of Emergency Medical Services,” given in Ref
(1), defines the following EMSS functions that require telecommunications:
6.1.1 Medical emergencies requiring EMSS response should be reported immediately to appropriate community agencies that
manage and control EMSS resources and services.
6.1.2 Appropriate EMSS resources should respond to human health emergencies at any time and place.
6.1.3 Recognition of the need for and immediate response by EMSS resources to life threatening and serious injuries and illness
should be provided within a time period that will ensure the greatest saving of lives and reduction of morbidity.
6.1.4 EMSS and other health agencies and professionals should marshal their individual and collective resources (staff,
equipment, supplies, and facilities) and coordinate their responses in the shortest effective time to meet individual and mass
medical emergency needs.
6.1.5 Emergency medical dispatchers should have special training to provide guidance and direction to persons at the scene of
a medical emergency pending arrival of trained prehospital EMSS personnel.
6.1.6 EMSS must be coordinated with other community public safety emergency response services.
6.1.7 The use of EMSS facilities (emergency departments, intensive care, and coronary care units, burn and trauma facilities,
and so forth) should be coordinated so as to avoid preventable delays in access to definitive emergency medical care.
6.1.8 For life threatening and serious medical emergencies and in other instances requiring invasive prehospital emergency
medical care, appropriate physiological data and patient assessment information should be collected and transmitted from the site
of the emergency to the EMSS facility providing on-line medical direction.
6.1.9 Telecommunications relating to EMSS should be recorded, documented, saved, and used by EMSS managers to review,
evaluate, revise, and reorganize EMSS as necessary to meet changing conditions and needs.
6.1.10 Telecommunications should exist between EMSS facilities and transport vehicles for safe interhospital transfer of
patients with life threatening and serious medical emergencies.
6.1.11 Telecommunications should be used as needed, to improve utilization of all EMSS resources and to prevent or mitigate
adverse effects of medical emergencies.
6.2 Telecommunications Categories—Based on the above EMSS needs, the following categories of information exchange
requiring telecommunications are defined in Ref (1) as being necessary to support of EMS operations.
6.2.1 EMSS Access—Exchanges of information related to public access for reporting emergency medical situations to
appropriate EMSS response organizations.
6.2.2 EMSS Dispatch and Control—Exchanges of information related to reducing response time, such as alerting, dispatching,
and controlling the movement of EMS vehicles.
6.2.3 Medical Coordination/Direction—Exchanges of information related to the emergency patient and his care, such as
transmission of physiological information and exchange of patient assessment information and treatment information between
EMS personnel at the scene and physicians providing on-line medical direction.
6.2.4 EMSS Resource Coordination—Exchanges of information necessary for the effective coordination of all EMS resources.
6.2.5 Interservice Coordination—Exchanges of information for coordination of EMS activities with police, fire, government
agencies, and other resources, such as public utilities and private contractors.
6.2.6 Disaster Coordination—Exchanges of information related to the coordination of EMS activities with those of local, state,
and national disaster response authorities.
7. EMSS Functional Communications Requirements
7.1 An EMSS communications system should provide the means by which emergency resources can be accessed, mobilized,
managed, and coordinated. To accomplish this, a communications system must incorporate operational provisions to use sufficient
wire-line and radio linkages and channels among all EMSS participants over the service area of the EMSS (and for disaster
response, between EMSS service areas) to facilitate the EMSS functional needs described in 7.2 through 7.5 for communications.
7.2 Citizen Access:
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the references at the end of this guide.
F1220 − 95 (2014)
7.2.1 The EMSS communications system should have the ability to receive and process any incoming calls that report
emergencies and request emergency medical assistance. Persons should be able to summon help rapidly in an emergency situation.
They should be able to call for police, fire, rescue, and other emergency aid promptly, without confusion, and without familiarity
with a particular community. Local, statewide, and nationwide uniformity is needed to accomplish this objective.
7.2.2 For several years, numerous governmental commissions, legislative bodies, private organizations, and citizen groups have
recommended the establishment of a single, universal “Nationwide 9-1-1 Emergency Telephone Number” to meet this need for
improved emergency communications. The achievement of this recommendation was stated as a matter of national policy in
Bulletin No. 73-1 “National Policy for Emergency Telephone Number ‘911’” issued by the Executive Office of the President on
March 21, 1973. The “nine-one-one” concept provides a single number that is easy to use and remember. Moreover,
implementation of the three-digit emergency telephone number 9-1-1, encourages coordinated efforts between those providing
communications services and emergency responses. The 9-1-1 concept should be included in EMSS communication planning with
other methods of citizen access, primarily for its impact on response time and enhanced coordination among participants. Citizen
access communications, primarily uses telephones, both public and private, to call 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP).
7.2.3 On the nation’s highways, citizen access to EMSS is facilitated by use of mobile communications services that enable
drivers to rapidly report observed motor vehicle accidents and other e
...