What is the role of the Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD)?

• A. To provide medical treatment in the field.
• B. To dispatch police units.
• C. To manage emergency calls and coordinate EMS responses.
• D. To operate hospital communication systems.

Answer: (C)

An Emergency Medical Dispatcher is responsible for handling emergency calls and coordinating the EMS response. They take the call, quickly assess the situation, gather essential information (location, patient status, number of people involved), and determine the appropriate level of EMS activation. Using established protocols, they provide bystander instructions (like CPR or bleeding control) and dispatch the right units, while coordinating with responders en route and with receiving hospitals to ensure a smooth handoff and up-to-date information. They also manage ongoing communication to keep the caller informed and ensure scene safety.

Providing medical treatment in the field is the work of EMS clinicians on scene, not the dispatcher. Dispatchers do not deploy police units, as that's handled by law enforcement, nor do they operate hospital communications systems, which are managed by hospital staff.