Gene Melvin's
EMS Educational Resources Site
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Communications Links
EMD Codes
October 05, 2015
An Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) is a trained First Responder of sorts. They are the "first" EMS link that the caller encounters. Not all 911 telecommunicators are EMD-trained, but most 911 telecommunicators that dispatch EMS units are certified EMD, as well as other public safety doctrines (EFD for fire, EPD for law enforcement, etc.). Each part of the 911 telecommunicator's functions generally require a specific training class and credential.
EMD's are trained in providing pre-arrival instructions (how to perform CPR, stop bleeding, etc.) and post-dispatch instructions (gathering the patient's medications, putting away pets, sending someone to meet the ambulance, etc.).
Click on the link below to see Robeson County's EMD codes. Most of these codes are universal, but some local changes may exist. These codes change frequently as updates are made at the national level.
Radio Call In
October 05, 2015
An EMS provider's radio report to the receiving Emergency Department is a very important but quick summary of the patient's complaint/injury, along with vital signs and treatment provided by EMS. While the format and content will vary from county to county, the basics are still the same. Your call-in should be no more than 2 minutes in most circumstances. Click the link below to see a sample radio report.
Ten Codes
October 05, 2015
The use of radio "ten codes" has been abandoned in many jurisdictions. Ten codes were originally designed to shorten radio traffic and worked well for many years. As agencies adopted their own unique versions of ten codes, FEMA suggests using plain language, especially in multi-jurisdictional events such as natural disasters. It is very easy for the same ten code to have very different meanings in agencies within the same jurisdiction. Click the link below to see an example of the ten codes used by agencies in NC.
