ASTM F1220-95(2001)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Emergency Medical Services System (EMSS) Telecommunications
Standard Guide for Emergency Medical Services System (EMSS) Telecommunications
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: SectionScope1Referenced Documents2Terminology3Summary of Guide4Significance and Use5Functions and Categories of EMSS Communications6Telecommunications Functions6.1Telecommunications Categories6.2EMSS Functional Communications Requirements7General Information7.1Citizen Access7.2EMSS Vehicle Dispatch and Coordination7.3Medical Coordination/Direction7.4Interservice Communications7.5Radio Frequency Spectrum and Service Requirements8Radio Frequencies8.1EMSS Radio Service Coverage8.2Operational Considerations8.3Goals and Objectives for EMSS Communications9Goal 1-State EMSS Communication Should Meet Recog-nized Standards for Functional Performance10Goal 2-Local EMSS Communications Should be Compatible with, and Should Not Interfere with, EMSS Communications
in Neighboring Areas11Goal 3-Local EMSS Communications Systems Should be Compatible
with, and Should Not Interfere with, OtherTypes of
Communications Systems12Goal 4-EMSS Communications Systems Should Make Maximum Use
of State and Common Resources Where Appropriate, Cost Effective,
and Authorized13Goal 5-The State Should Act as the Representative of Local EMSS
in Dealing with Federal Agencies and National Organizations14Goal 6-The State Should Have a Program for Positive Management
of Its EMSS Communications Activities15Emergency Medical Radio Services (EMRS)
Radio Frequencies (MHz)Appendix X1Acronyms and Glossary for EMSS CommunicationsAppendix X2References
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.
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation:F1220–95 (Reapproved 2001)
Standard Guide for
Emergency Medical Services System (EMSS)
Telecommunications
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1220; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
Goal 1—State EMSS Communication Should Meet
Recog-
1.1 This guide covers telecommunications practices and
nized Standards for Functional Performance 10
performance standards required to support all of the functions
Goal 2—Local EMSS Communications Should be
Compat-
of community EMSS on a statewide basis. It defines state
ible with, and Should Not Interfere with, EMSS
planning goals and objectives for EMSS communications.
Communications in Neighboring Area 11
1.2 Thisguideisforplanning,coordinating,integrating,and
Goal 3—Local EMSS Communications Systems
Should be
evaluating telecommunications resources statewide to satisfy
Compatible with, and Should Not Interfere with,
the functional needs of comprehensive community EMSS
Other
Types of Communications Systems 12
systems.
Goal 4—EMSS Communications Systems Should
1.3 To facilitate a two-tiered planning approach recom-
Make
mended for EMSS communications, this guide identifies those
Maximum Use of State and Common Resources
Where
communications system features that should be coordinated on
Appropriate, Cost Effective, and Authorized 13
a statewide basis and defined in statewide (first tier) EMSS
Goal 5—The State Should Act as the Representative
communications planning guidelines. Local (second tier)
of
Local EMSS in Dealing with Federal Agencies and
EMSS communications plans prepared in accordance with the
National Organizations 14
statewide guidelines should then be tailored to satisfy local
Goal 6—The State Should Have a Program for Posi-
EMSS needs while providing compatibility and interoperabil-
tive
Management of Its EMSS Communications Activities 15
ity of communications with other EMSS.
Emergency Medical Radio Services (EMRS) Radio
1.4 The sections in this guide appear in the following
Fre-
sequence:
quencies (MHz) Appendix X1
Acronyms and Glossary for EMSS Communications Appendix X2
Section
References
Scope 1
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Referenced Documents 2
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Terminology 3
Summary of Guide 4
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Significance and Use 5
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
Functions and Categories of EMSS Communications 6
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Telecommunications Functions 6.1
Telecommunications Categories 6.2
EMSS Functional Communications Requirements 7
2. Referenced Documents
General Information 7.1
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Citizen Access 7.2
EMSS Vehicle Dispatch and Coordination 7.3
F 1031 Practice for Training the Emergency Medical Tech-
Medical Coordination/Direction 7.4
nician (Basic)
Interservice Communications 7.5
F 1149 Practice for Qualifications, Responsibilities, and
Radio Frequency Spectrum and Service Requirements 8
Radio Frequencies 8.1
Authority of Individuals and Institutions Providing Medi-
EMSS Radio Service Coverage 8.2 2
cal Direction of Emergency Medical Services
Operational Considerations 8.3
F 1221 Guide for Interagency Information Exchange
Goals and Objectives for EMSS Communications 9
F 1229 Guide for Establishing the Qualifications, Educa-
tion, and Training of EMS, Air-Medical Patient Care
Providers
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 Oct. 10, 1995. Published February 1996. Originally
published as F 1220 – 89. Last previous edition F 1220 – 89. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 13.02.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
F1220–95 (2001)
F 1254 Practice for Performance of Prehospital Manual government to take a coordinating role. Statewide planning for
Defibrillation coordinated use of radio frequencies for EMSS communica-
F 1258 Practice for Emergency Medical Dispatch tions is specifically needed.
F 1287 GuideforScopeofPerformanceofFirstResponders 5.2 The state is the logical unit to formulate the statutory
Who Provide Emergency Medical Care and regulatory framework for EMSS planning. State planning
F 1381 Guide for Planning and Developing 9-1-1 Enhanced for area-wide EMSS communications provides authority to
Telephone Systems accomplish coordination in the use of available radio frequen-
F 1418 Guide for Training the Emergency Medical Techni- cies, thus promoting multiagency cooperation to best serve the
cian (Basic) in Roles and Responsibilities. public needs.
F 1453 GuideforTrainingandEvaluationofFirstRespond- 5.3 With statewide planning, communities, counties, and
ers Who Provide Emergency Medical Care multicounty EMSS regions are provided with guidance to
F 1517 Guide for Scope of Performance of Emergency achieve the performance goals and objectives of their EMSS
Medical Services Ambulance Operations communications systems.
F 1552 Practice for Training, Instructor Qualification, and 5.4 The statewide EMSS communications performance
Certification Eligibility of Emergency Medical Dispatch- goals and objectives in Sections 10-15 address specific roles of
ers state governments in EMSS communications systems plan-
F 1560 Practice for Emergency Medical Dispatch Manage- ning. These performance goals and objectives should be
ment considered by states for evaluating, planning, and implement-
2.2 Federal Standards: ing of acceptable EMSS communications statewide.
Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 405) (as
6. Functions and Categories of EMSS Communications
amended)
Title 47, United States Code of Federal Regulations (47
6.1 Telecommunications Functions—The report “Commu-
CFR) on Telecommunications nicationsinSupportofEmergencyMedicalServices,”givenin
Ref (1), defines the following EMSS functions that require
3. Terminology
telecommunications:
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: 6.1.1 Medical emergencies requiring EMSS response
3.1.1 goal—astatementofbroaddirection,generalpurpose, should be reported immediately to appropriate community
or intent. A goal is general and timeless and is not concerned agencies that manage and control EMSS resources and ser-
with a specific achievement within a given time period. vices.
3.1.2 objective—a statement of desired accomplishment
6.1.2 Appropriate EMSS resources should respond to hu-
that can be measured within a specified time frame and under man health emergencies at any time and place.
determinable conditions.The attainment of an objective moves
6.1.3 Recognition of the need for and immediate response
the system toward a directly related goal. by EMSS resources to life threatening and serious injuries and
3.1.3 Communications terminology used in this guide and
illness should be provided within a time period that will ensure
references are defined in Appendix X1, Acronyms and Glos- the greatest saving of lives and reduction of morbidity.
sary for EMSS Communications.
6.1.4 EMSS and other health agencies and professionals
should marshal their individual and collective resources (staff,
4. Summary of Guide
equipment, supplies, and facilities) and coordinate their re-
4.1 This guide identifies the functions and requirements of sponses in the shortest effective time to meet individual and
mass medical emergency needs.
EMSS telecommunications. Observance of the state EMSS
communications planning goals and objectives contained in 6.1.5 Emergency medical dispatchers should have special
training to provide guidance and direction to persons at the
this guide permits planning and implementation of compatible,
interoperable, and reliable local EMSS communications which scene of a medical emergency pending arrival of trained
prehospital EMSS personnel.
meet local needs while not interfering with the needs of
adjoining EMSS. 6.1.6 EMSS must be coordinated with other community
4.2 EMSS communications should satisfy all of the perfor- public safety emergency response services.
mance goals and objectives specified by those who use it and 6.1.7 The use of EMSS facilities (emergency departments,
those who are served by it. However, many constraints such as intensive care, and coronary care units, burn and trauma
costs, political, demographic and social preferences, existing facilities, and so forth) should be coordinated so as to avoid
legislation and time, limit what can be achieved. preventable delays in access to definitive emergency medical
care.
5. Significance and Use
6.1.8 For life threatening and serious medical emergencies
5.1 In situations in which the coordination of EMSS com- and in other instances requiring invasive prehospital emer-
gency medical care, appropriate physiological data and patient
municationsamongpoliticalsubdivisionsaffectsthehealthand
safety of the state’s population, it is appropriate for state assessment information should be collected and transmitted
3 4
Available from Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the references at the end of this
Office, Washington, DC 20402. guide.
F1220–95 (2001)
from the site of the emergency to the EMSS facility providing 7.2.2 For several years, numerous governmental commis-
on-line medical direction. sions, legislative bodies, private organizations, and citizen
6.1.9 Telecommunications relating to EMSS should be re-
groups have recommended the establishment of a single,
corded, documented, saved, and used by EMSS managers to universal “Nationwide 9-1-1 Emergency Telephone Number”
review, evaluate, revise, and reorganize EMSS as necessary to
to meet this need for improved emergency communications.
meet changing conditions and needs. The achievement of this recommendation was stated as a
6.1.10 Telecommunications should exist between EMSS
matter of national policy in Bulletin No. 73-1 “National Policy
facilitiesandtransportvehiclesforsafeinterhospitaltransferof for Emergency Telephone Number 8911’” issued by the Ex-
patients with life threatening and serious medical emergencies.
ecutive Office of the President on March 21, 1973. The
6.1.11 Telecommunications should be used as needed, to
“nine-one-one” concept provides a single number that is easy
improve utilization of all EMSS resources and to prevent or
to use and remember. Moreover, implementation of the three-
mitigate adverse effects of medical emergencies.
digit emergency telephone number 9-1-1, encourages coordi-
6.2 Telecommunications Categories—Based on the above
natedeffortsbetweenthoseprovidingcommunicationsservices
EMSSneeds,thefollowingcategoriesofinformationexchange
and emergency responses. The 9-1-1 concept should be in-
requiring telecommunications are defined in Ref (1) as being
cluded in EMSS communication planning with other methods
necessary to support of EMS operations.
of citizen access, primarily for its impact on response time and
6.2.1 EMSS Access—Exchanges of information related to
enhanced coordination among participants. Citizen access
public access for reporting emergency medical situations to
communications, primarily uses telephones, both public and
appropriate EMSS response organizations.
private, to call 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP).
6.2.2 EMSS Dispatch and Control—Exchanges of informa-
7.2.3 On the nation’s highways, citizen access to EMSS is
tion related to reducing response time, such as alerting,
facilitated by use of mobile communications services that
dispatching, and controlling the movement of EMS vehicles.
enable drivers to rapidly report observed motor vehicle acci-
6.2.3 Medical Coordination/Direction—Exchanges of in-
dents and other emergency conditions to public safety service
formationrelatedtotheemergencypatientandhiscare,suchas
providers. In areas having cellular telephone coverage, motor
transmission of physiological information and exchange of
vehicle occupants with cellular telephone may make direct
patient assessment information and treatment information be-
calls to the local 9-1-1 PSAP.This use of cellular telephone for
tween EMS personnel at the scene and physicians providing
accessing public safety services is being facilitated through
on-line medical direction.
rule changes initiated in 1994 by provisions of the Federal
6.2.4 EMSS Resource Coordination—Exchanges of infor-
Communications Commission Rules under RM-8143 Docket
mation necessary for the effective coordination of all EMS
No. 94-102; to ensure compatibility of cellular 9-1-1 calls with
resources.
enhanced 911 emergency calling systems. Also, Citizen Band
6.2.5 Interservice Coordination—Exchanges of information
(CB) mobile radio operators can report observed emergencies
for coordination of EMS activities with police, fire, govern-
to volunteer CB base station radio monitors who in turn relay
ment agencies, and other resources, such as public utilities and
the information to appropriate public safety response agencies
private contractors.
via the 9-1-1 emergency telephone number or some other
6.2.6 Disaster Coordination—Exchanges of information re-
prearranged telephone number. Similarly, mobile equipped
lated to the coordination of EMS activities with those of local,
amateur radio operators can report observed emergencies to
state, and national disaster response authorities.
appropriate public safety authorities via the 9-1-1 emergency
telephone number using amateur radio/telephone interconnect
7. EMSS Functional Communications Requirements
services. Finally, motorists not equipped with mobile radio
7.1 An EMSS communications system should provide the
communications, can report emergencies by stopping at the
means by which emergency resources can be accessed, mobi-
nearest roadside site having a public telephone and dialing
lized, managed, and coordinated. To accomplish this, a com-
9-1-1. In some locations, a statewide toll-free 800 telephone
munications system must incorporate operational provisions to
access number is available for calling state police. The avail-
use sufficient wire-line and radio linkages and channels among
ability of such 800 service should be indicated by road signs.
all EMSS participants over the service area of the EMSS (and
Such 800 calls may also be made via cellular radio. Calls
fordisaste
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