Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD)

Statewide implementation of Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) is a vital step forward for Maine’s 911 system and will make our communities healthier and safer. EMD will also give 911 telecommunicators greater confidence and professional recognition. Emergency Medical Dispatch is a process that includes:

Categorical questioning of the caller, including critical elements for every call;
Complaint-specific questions as indicated by the nature of the call;
Scripted and systematic pre-arrival instructions;
Execution of protocols that prioritize calls.

EMD Background Information

Did you know that in 2005, there were approximately 587,000 911 calls received by Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) in the state of Maine? Many of these calls were requests for emergency medical assistance. Over 700 public safety telecommunicators provide an incredible service to our state by receiving, processing, and dispatching such calls. These public servants deserve immense praise for their contributions to the public’s health and safety. They also deserve training, certification, and resources. Until recently, however, 911 telecommunicators were the only public safety professionals in the state without minimum training standards. Thankfully, now there is a "basic training" course for new 911 telecommunicators, as well as this new initiative to implement Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) at all PSAPs in the state.

Emergency Medical Dispatchers become the "first" first responder; turning sometimes panicked callers into conduits of First Aid and cardio-pulmonry resuscitation (CPR). EMD has been used for many years in parts of Maine, across the country, and around the world. It is credited with saving the lives of innumerable victims as well as protecting emergency responders. Many areas of the United States are still not provided EMD services, however, and an estimated 38% of PSAPs in Maine were not providing Emergency Medical Dispatch at the outset of this project. Even where EMD has been undertaken, it can be improved, especially with greater attention to quality assurance.

To address these gaps in Maine, Stephan Bunker of the Emergency Services Communications Bureau (ESCB), along with Maine Emergency Medical Services, the Maine chapter of the American Heart Association, and other collaborators, put forward legislation that was enacted in the 2005 state legislative session. This law mandates, with funding support, the statewide implementation and ongoing evaluation of Emergency Medical Dispatch commencing on January 1st, 2007. Although the ESCB remains a critical partner, the oversight for EMD is coordinated by the Maine Emergency Medical Services bureau, capitalizing on its experience with Emergency Medical Services training, licensing, and quality assurance. In 2006, David Kingdon was hired as a full-time state EMD Coordinator.

BUREAU INFORMATION

Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD)

EMD Background Information

EMD Application Forms are Available on Our Applications Page