EMD Training Information

What is EMD?

Emergency medical dispatch (EMD) is a systematic program of handling medical calls for assistance. Trained telecommunicators use locally approved EMD guidecards to quickly and properly determine the nature and priority of the call, dispatch the appropriate response and give the caller instructions to help treat the patient until the responding EMS unit arrives.

Source: APCO International, https://www.apcointl.org/training/emd-program/

What are the requirements for EMD?

By January 1, 2024, each operator of a PSAP shall implement a requirement that each of its dispatchers shall by July 1, 2024, have completed an Emergency Medical Dispatch education program that complies with minimum standards established by the Office of Emergency Medical Services.

Helpful Information

EMD Training Standards

EMD training programs shall ensure the delivery of high-quality emergency medical dispatch for emergency events. The Office of EMS created the following training standards for any EMD program utilized to meet the requirements set forth by the Code of Virginia §56.484.16:1.

Click here for a copy of the document.

The purpose of this document is to ensure continuity and consistency in Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) training across the Commonwealth. Any EMD training program utilized by a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) must meet these minimum training standards regardless of whether they are offered by an approved third-party vendor or developed internally with EMS Physician (as defined in 12VAC5-31-10) oversight.

  • Roles and Responsibilities of the EMD
    • Introduction and principles of EMD
    • Components of EMD
    • Customer service (can be a pre- or co-requisite of EMD course)
    • Techniques for obtaining information and calming the caller (can be a pre- or co-requisite of EMD course)
  • Legal and Liability
    • Definitions and understandings of:
      • Negligence
      • Duty
      • Breach of duty, and
      • Injury/Damage
  • Anatomy and Physiology
    • Basic medical terminology taught by instructor approved by the programs overseeing EMS Physician.
  • Chief Complaint Protocol Selection
    • Understanding the difference in medical and trauma complaints
    • The minimum required protocols are:
      • Cardiac/respiratory arrest
      • Altered mental status/unconscious
      • Medical, and
      • Trauma

**PSAPs may develop additional protocols above the required minimum. Those protocols shall be approved by the EMS Physician.

  • Post Dispatch Instructions
    • Minimum instructions to include:
      • Telecommunication cardiopulmonary resuscitation
      • Airway management for choking victims
      • Bleeding control, and
      • Naloxone (Narcan) Administration

**PSAPs may develop additional instructions above the required minimum. Those instructions shall be approved by the EMS Physician.

  • Initial Examination and Recertification
    • Final written examination will be conducted with minimum passing score of 75%
    • Retest process shall be established for those who do not meet minimum passing score
    • Certification is valid for no more than two years
    • Minimum of 24-hours of continuing education required for recertification
  • System and Program Functions
    • Review of how to operate system, program, or function
    • Understanding of back-up system, if applicable

Development of Standard

This training standard was developed utilizing documents and research from nationally recognized organizations and approved by the Governor’s EMS Advisory Board’s Communications Committee.

Approved EMD Training Programs

The following programs are recognized as meeting the approved EMD training standards:

  • Association of Public-Safety Officials (“APCO”) International EMD Program
  • International Academy of Emergency Dispatch Priority Dispatch System
  • NECI 9-1-1
  • PowerPhone EMD

Click here for a PDF document of approved courses

Available Training Courses

There are currently no known training courses being offered.

 

Additional training opportunities can be found here:

 

If you have training opportunities you would like to share please contact Amber Moore at Amber.Moore@vdh.virginia.gov

Review Process to Approve EMD Training Programs:

Whether an EMD training program is created by a PSAP or offered by a third party vendor, the same steps are followed.

  1. The PSAP or vendor submits the EMD training program course outline and objectives for review to OEMS PSAP Specialist.
  2. These documents are then reviewed to ensure they meet the minimum training standards, using a standardized checklist.
  3. If the program meets the minimum training standards an approval will be sent to the requestor, including date and version.
  4. If the program does not meet the training program, the requestor will receive notice, and an explanation of the justification, as well as steps to submit for reconsideration.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is EMD?

Emergency medical dispatch (EMD) is a systematic program of handling medical calls for assistance. Trained telecommunicators use locally approved EMD guidecards to quickly and properly determine the nature and priority of the call, dispatch the appropriate response and give the caller instructions to help treat the patient until the responding EMS unit arrives.

Source: APCO International, https://www.apcointl.org/training/emd-program/

What EMD programs are approved?

See the "Approved EMD Training Programs" tab above for a list of classes that have been approved by OEMS according to the developed training standards.

Where can I find the code language related to EMD training requirements?

The section of code that references EMD training can be found here: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title56/chapter15/section56-484.16:1/

Why were these standards created?

The Code of Virginia §56-484.16:1.G requires every PSAP operator to train their dispatchers in EMD. the new training standards ensure continuity and consistency in EMD training across the Commonwealth. These standards allow the Office of EMS to hold all EMD Programs in Virginia to the same minimum standards across the Commonwealth.

How do I get an EMD program approved?

Whether an EMD training program is created by a PSAP or offered by a third party vendor, the same steps are followed. The PSAP or vendor submits the EMD training program course outline and objectives for review to OEMS PSAP Specialist. These documents are then reviewed to ensure they meet the minimum training standards, using a standardized checklist. If the program meets the minimum training standards an approval will be sent to the requestor, including date and version. If the program does not meet the training program, the requestor will receive notice, and an explanation of the justification, as well as steps to submit for reconsideration.

How does this impact the EMD program my PSAP already uses?

Refer to the document Approved EMD Training Courses to ensure you are using an approved program. The programs listed in this document have been reviewed and found to meet the minimum training standards. If you are not using an approved program, contact the PSAP Specialist promptly to begin the steps to have your program reviewed.

How often will the training standards and approved EMD training course documents be reviewed?

All documents related to the EMD training standards will be reviewed by the State EMS Advisory Boards, Communications Committee for updates and necessary changes on a bi-annual basis. This includes the standards, as well as any programs that have been previously approved.

What do I do if the EMD training program has undergone review and changes?

If an approved training course is updated, new supporting documentation must be submitted to the OEMS PSAP specialist for review and approval.