Good Link to EMD Codes

[ScanDaBands]

Anybody got a link to the standard EMD codes or are they different by area like 10 codes ?

[matthewtomek]

EMD codes are pretty much standard to the agencies that use them. The actual codes may vary depending on which set of EMD cards are used (NAEMD, APCO, etc).

Here in Memphis, we use the National Academy of Emegerncy Medical Dispatch. You can see the cards at www.memphisfirescanner.com/emd

[KB8QDM]

Assuming your area is using NAED standard, and using 100% compliance with that standard, you can use the cards linked above to figure out what type of run is being dispatched.

If you hear a run dispatched as a 31 Delta 1, the 31 references the chief complaint card (Unconscous/Fainting), Delta is the response level (closest BLS hot, closest ALS cold) and 1 references the specific condition (in this case, patient is still unconscous at the end of questioning). Most agencies that use this system completely (my agency/county does not), have cheat sheets in the rigs so the responding crews can look up the code to see what they have.

16 year certified EMD

[fnnm1062]

also each department/agency can set them up to different response levels. (i.e. in some rural areas a charlie level might put a chopper on stand by, or both units hot, it all depends it, but it is a good overviw of the card system

[ScanDaBands]

Great link and responses - appreciate it.

[mandlair]

Like these ? http://www.abqscan.com/ClawsonCodes.htm

[wa8pyr]

Originally Posted by KB8QDM

If you hear a run dispatched as a 31 Delta 1, the 31 references the chief complaint card (Unconscous/Fainting), Delta is the response level (closest BLS hot, closest ALS cold) and 1 references the specific condition (in this case, patient is still unconscous at the end of questioning). Most agencies that use this system completely (my agency/county does not), have cheat sheets in the rigs so the responding crews can look up the code to see what they have.

Whoever dreamed up that 31 Delta 1 stuff for dispatching a run has A) never been a dispatcher, B) never been a medic in the field and C) needs a good swift smack upside their fool head.

I've been both a dispatcher and a firefigher/EMT for many years, and that stuff would drive everyone I know stark raving mad. The constant need to either look up the nature of the run on a cheat sheet or ask the dispatcher for clarification would far outweigh any time savings gained by using the codes.

For a variety of excellent reasons, most agencies do not use codes, but instead stick to plain language, at least on the radio.

There has been a push on for many years, which gained momentum after 9/11 and even more with the new Federal interoperability standards, to exclusively use plain language. This is not just for Fire/EMS but law enforcement as well.

A couple of years ago the Feds (FEMA, specifically) decreed that all agencies switch to plain language, or face the loss of Federal grant monies. After an outcry, this was amended to "plain language during mutual aid incidents." However, fire and EMS use mutual aid nearly every day, so in general plain language is the order of the day.

[ScanDaBands]

Originally Posted by wa8pyr

Whoever dreamed up that 31 Delta 1 stuff for dispatching a run has A) never been a dispatcher, B) never been a medic in the field and C) needs a good swift smack upside their fool head.

so in general plain language is the order of the day.

Amen from the scanning aspect............mix and match around these parts....

[matthewtomek]

Originally Posted by wa8pyr

Whoever dreamed up that 31 Delta 1 stuff for dispatching a run has A) never been a dispatcher, B) never been a medic in the field and C) needs a good swift smack upside their fool head.

I've been both a dispatcher and a firefigher/EMT for many years, and that stuff would drive everyone I know stark raving mad. The constant need to either look up the nature of the run on a cheat sheet or ask the dispatcher for clarification would far outweigh any time savings gained by using the codes.

For a variety of excellent reasons, most agencies do not use codes, but instead stick to plain language, at least on the radio.

There has been a push on for many years, which gained momentum after 9/11 and even more with the new Federal interoperability standards, to exclusively use plain language. This is not just for Fire/EMS but law enforcement as well.

A couple of years ago the Feds (FEMA, specifically) decreed that all agencies switch to plain language, or face the loss of Federal grant monies. After an outcry, this was amended to "plain language during mutual aid incidents." However, fire and EMS use mutual aid nearly every day, so in general plain language is the order of the day.

When you start hearing the codes over and over, you know what they are without having to look the up. I don't think this has anything to do with FEMA's request for "plain language."

[fnnm1062]

also most departments, at least that i have heard, use both (coded & plain language), the code just provides supplemental data So a dispatch may read something like this:

Station 4 respond for a medical at 123 main street, for a 79 y/o male w/ chest pains. your pt is conscious & breathing. This will be a 10-charlie-2 response. Which all that that means is he has a cardiac history..


I have been doing this for 8 years and have had to dispatch with codes and with out. It does not matter to me, once you get the hang of it. The only thing is that if your doing EMD, its alot easier if you have 2 or more peole working in the center.