How does an EMD prioritize incidents?

An Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) prioritizes incidents by utilizing established criteria and protocols based on caller information. This systematic approach ensures that dispatchers can effectively assess the situation and determine the level of urgency associated with each call. Established protocols are designed to guide the dispatcher through key questions that collect vital information, such as the nature of the medical emergency, the severity of the symptoms, and any immediate threats to life or limb.

By relying on these protocols, the EMD can quickly categorize incidents, which allows for a more efficient allocation of resources and ensures that the most critical cases receive the fastest response. This methodical prioritization is crucial in emergency situations, where every second counts and offers a structured way to respond effectively to varying levels of urgency among callers.