COMMUNICATIONS & DISPATCH
This is the first piece of information dispatchers typically gather when receiving a 911 medical call.
What is the location of the emergency?
This is the safest place for an EMT to ride in a moving ambulance.
What is seated and restrained in an approved seat?
This standardized national command structure organizes resources during major incidents.
What is the Incident Command System (ICS)?
This is the first operational action upon arriving at any incident scene—even before patient assessment.
What is performing a scene size-up or ensuring scene safety?
This level of government typically defines the EMT’s scope of practice.
State
This communication technique involves repeating critical information back to confirm accuracy.
What is closed-loop communication?
These two devices must be secured at all times during ambulance transport to prevent projectile injury.
What are oxygen cylinders and the stretcher?
This ICS position is responsible for all on-scene tactical operations.
Who is the Operations Section Chief?
This lifting technique keeps the back straight, uses leg power, and prevents twisting.
What is the power lift?
This physician provides oversight and authorization for EMT clinical care in the EMS system.
Who is the medical director?
This federal law requires all EMS communications involving patient information to be secure and confidential.
What is HIPAA?
This term describes lights-and-siren driving where EMTs must still operate with due regard.
What is emergency response mode?
START triage tags a patient with no respirations even after airway repositioning as this color.
What is black?
This term describes the zone immediately dangerous to life and health at a hazardous materials incident.
What is the hot zone?
This process ensures each EMS agency meets minimum standards for vehicles, training, and protocols.
What is state or local EMS system regulation (licensure/certification)?
This system allows dispatchers to determine the physical location of a 911 caller even if they cannot speak.
What is Enhanced 911 (E911)?
This component must be engaged during patient loading and unloading to prevent unintended ambulance movement.
What is the parking brake (or “emergency brake”)?
This national framework guides the response of all EMS agencies to large-scale disasters.
What is the National Incident Management System (NIMS)?
This type of protective garment is required when operating on roadways with vehicle traffic.
What is an ANSI/ISEA-approved reflective safety vest?
This term refers to the shared responsibilities and seamless coordination between EMS, fire, police, public health, and hospitals during routine operations and disasters.
What is an integrated public safety system or integrated EMS system?
During your ambulance precheck, you find a bloody piece of gauze on the bench seat. According to proper operational procedures, who should you notify so the issue is documented and the unit is taken out of service if needed.
What is dispatch?
While checking your ambulance’s equipment, you discover the oxygen cylinder is secured but reading only 300 psi. According to safe operations and readiness standards, this is what you must do before the ambulance can be placed in service.
What is replace the depleted cylinder with a full one?
This term describes an event in which the number of patients exceeds resources, requiring altered standards of care.
What is a mass-casualty incident (MCI)?
A health care model in which experienced paramedics receive advanced training to equip them to provide additional services in the prehospital environment, such as health evaluations, monitoring of chronic illnesses or conditions, and patient advocacy.
What is a community paramedic?
This national document outlines core provider competencies and is referenced in the 2025 NREMT exam design.
What is the National EMS Scope of Practice Model?