ASTM F1220-95

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Designation: F 1220 – 95
Standard Guide for
Emergency Medical Services System (EMSS)
Telecommunications
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1220; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
Goal 1—State EMSS Communication Should Meet Recog-
nized Standards for Functional Performance 10
1.1 This guide covers telecommunications practices and
Goal 2—Local EMSS Communications Should be Compat-
performance standards required to support all of the functions
ible with, and Should Not Interfere with, EMSS Communica-
tions in Neighboring Areas 11
of community EMSS on a statewide basis. It defines state
Goal 3—Local EMSS Communications Systems Should be
planning goals and objectives for EMSS communications.
Compatible with, and Should Not Interfere with, Other Types
1.2 This guide is for planning, coordinating, integrating, and of Communications Systems 12
Goal 4—EMSS Communications Systems Should Make
evaluating telecommunications resources statewide to satisfy
Maximum Use of State and Common Resources Where Ap-
the functional needs of comprehensive community EMSS
propriate and Cost Effective 13
systems. Goal 5—The State Should Act as the Representative of Lo-
cal EMSS in Dealing with Federal Agencies and National
1.3 To facilitate a two-tiered planning approach recom-
Organizations 14
mended for EMSS communications, this guide identifies those
Goal 6—The State Should have a Program for Positive Man-
communications system features that should be coordinated on agement of Its EMSS Communications Activities 15
Emergency Medical Radio Services (EMRS) Radio Frequen-
a statewide basis and defined in statewide (first tier) EMSS
cies (MHz) Appendix X1
communications planning guidelines. Local (second tier)
Acronyms and Glossary for Emergency Medical Services
Systems Communications Appendix X2
EMSS communications plans prepared in accordance with the
References
statewide guidelines should then be tailored to satisfy local
EMSS needs while providing compatibility and interoperabil- 1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
ity of communications with other EMSS.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.4 The sections in this guide appear in the following responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
sequence:
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Section
Scope 1
2. Referenced Documents
Referenced Documents 2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Terminology 3
Summary of Guide 4
F 1031 Practice for Training the Emergency Medical Tech-
Significance and Use 5
nician (Basic)
Functions and Categories of EMS Communications 6
F 1149 Practice for Qualifications, Responsibilities, and
Telecommunications Functions 6.1
Telecommunications Categories 6.2
Authority of Individuals and Institutions Providing Medi-
EMSS Communications Functional Subsystems 6.3
cal Direction of Emergency Medical Services
EMSS Functional Communications Requirement 7
General Information 7.1 F 1221 Guide for Interagency Information Exchange
Citizen Access 7.2
F 1229 Guide for Establishing the Qualifications, Educa-
Ambulance Coordination 7.3
tion, and Training of EMS, Air-Medical Patient Care
Medical Coordination 7.4
Providers
Interface Communications 7.5
Radio Frequency and Service Requirements 8
F 1254 Guide for Training Emergency Medical Services
Radio Frequencies 8.1
Ambulance Operators
EMSS Radio Service Coverage 8.2
Operational Considerations 8.3 F 1258 Practice for Emergency Medical Dispatch
State Goals and Objectives for EMSS Communications 9
F 1287 Guide for Scope of Performance of First Responders
Who Provide Emergency Medical Care
F 1381 Guide for Planning and Developing 9-1-1 Enhanced
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F-30 on Emergency Telephone Systems
Medical Services and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F30.04 on
Communications.
Current edition approved Oct. 10, 1995. Published February 1996. Originally
published as F 1220 – 89. Last previous edition F 1220 – 89. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 13.01.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
F 1220
F 1418 Guide for Training the Emergency Medical Techni- accomplish coordination in the use of available radio frequen-
cian (Basic) in Roles and Responsibilities. cies, thus promoting multiagency cooperation to best serve the
F 1453 Guide for Training and Evaluation of First Respond- public needs.
ers Who Provide Emergency Medical Care 5.3 With statewide planning, communities, counties, and
F 1517 Guide for Scope of Performance of Emergency multicounty EMSS regions are provided with guidance to
Medical Services Ambulance Operations achieve the performance goals and objectives of their EMSS
F 1552 Guide for Training, Instructor Qualification, and communications systems.
Certification Eligibility of Emergency Medical Dispatch- 5.4 The statewide EMSS communications performance
ers goals and objectives in Sections 10-15address specific roles of
F 1560 Practice for Emergency Medical Dispatch Manage- state governments in EMSS communications systems plan-
ment ning. These performance goals and objectives should be
2.2 Federal Standards: considered by states for evaluating, planning, and implement-
Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 405) (as ing of acceptable EMSS communications statewide.
amended)
6. Functions and Categories of EMSS Communications
Title 47, United States Code of Federal Regulations (47
6.1 Telecommunications Functions—The report “Commu-
CFR) on Telecommunications
nications in Support of Emergency Medical Services,” given in
3. Terminology Ref (1), defines the following EMSS functions which require
telecommunications:
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
6.1.1 Medical emergencies requiring EMSS response
3.1.1 goal—a statement of broad direction, general purpose,
should be reported immediately to appropriate community
or intent. A goal is general and timeless and is not concerned
agencies that manage and control EMSS resources and ser-
with a specific achievement within a given time period.
vices.
3.1.2 objective—a statement of desired accomplishment
6.1.2 Appropriate EMSS resources should respond to hu-
that can be measured within a specified time frame and under
man health emergencies at any time and place.
determinable conditions. The attainment of an objective moves
6.1.3 Recognition of the need for and immediate response
the system toward a directly related goal.
by EMSS resources to life threatening and serious injuries and
3.1.3 Communications terminology used in this guide and
illness should be provided within a time period that will ensure
references are defined in Appendix X1, Acronyms and Glos-
the greatest saving of lives and reduction of morbidity.
sary for Emergency Medical Services Systems Communica-
6.1.4 EMSS and other health agencies and professionals
tions.
should marshal their individual and collective resources (staff,
4. Summary of Guide equipment, supplies, and facilities) and coordinate their re-
sponses in the shortest effective time to meet individual and
4.1 This guide identifies the functions and requirements of
mass medical emergency needs.
EMSS telecommunications. Observance of the state EMSS
6.1.5 Emergency medical dispatchers should have special
communications planning goals and objectives contained in
training to provide guidance and direction to persons at the
this guide permits planning and implementation of compatible,
scene of a medical emergency pending arrival of trained
interoperable, and reliable local EMSS communications which
prehospital EMS personnel.
meet local needs while not interfering with the needs of
6.1.6 EMSS must be coordinated with other community
adjoining EMSS.
public safety emergency response services.
4.2 EMSS communications should satisfy all of the perfor-
6.1.7 The use of EMSS facilities (emergency departments,
mance goals and objectives specified by those who use it and
intensive care, and coronary care units, burn and trauma
those who are served by it. However, many constraints such as
facilities, etc.) should be coordinated so as to avoid preventable
costs, political, demographic and social preferences, existing
delays in access to definitive emergency medical care.
legislation and time, limit what can be achieved.
6.1.8 For life threatening and serious medical emergencies
and in other instances requiring invasive prehospital emer-
5. Significance and Use
gency medical care, appropriate physiological data and patient
5.1 In situations where the coordination of EMSS commu-
assessment information should be collected and transmitted
nications among political subdivisions affects the health and
from the site of the emergency to the EMSS facility providing
safety of the state’s population, it is appropriate for state
on-line medical direction.
government to take a coordinating role. Statewide planning for
6.1.9 Telecommunications relating to EMSS should be re-
coordinated use of radio frequencies for EMS communications
corded, documented, saved, and used by EMSS managers to
is specifically needed.
review, evaluate, revise, and reorganize EMSS as necessary to
5.2 The state is the logical unit to formulate the statutory
meet changing conditions and needs.
and regulatory framework for EMSS planning. State planning
6.1.10 Telecommunications should exist between EMSS
for area-wide EMSS communications provides authority to
facilities and transport vehicles for safe interhospital transfer of
3 4
Available from Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the references at the end of this
Office, Washington, DC 20402. guide.
F 1220
patients with life threatening and serious medical emergencies. ecutive Office of the President on March 21, 1973. The
6.1.11 Telecommunications should be used as needed, to “nine-one-one” concept provides a single number that is easy
improve utilization of all EMSS resources and to prevent or
to use and remember. Moreover, implementation of the three-
mitigate adverse effects of medical emergencies. digit emergency telephone number 9-1-1, encourages coordi-
6.2 Telecommunications Categories—Based on the above
nated efforts between those providing communications services
EMSS needs, the following categories of information exchange and emergency responses. The 9-1-1 concept should be in-
requiring telecommunications are defined in Ref (1) as being
cluded in EMSS communication planning with other methods
necessary to support of EMSS operations. of citizen access, primarily for its impact on response time and
6.2.1 EMSS Access—Exchanges of information related to
enhanced coordination among participants. Citizen access
public access for reporting emergency medical situations to
communications, primarily uses telephones, both public and
appropriate EMS response organizations.
private, to call 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP).
6.2.2 EMSS Dispatch and Control—Exchanges of informa-
7.2.3 On the nation’s highways, citizen access to EMSS is
tion related to reducing response time, such as alerting,
facilitated by use of mobile communications services that
dispatching, and controlling the movement of EMS vehicles.
enable drivers to rapidly report observed motor vehicle acci-
6.2.3 Medical Coordination/Direction—Exchanges of in-
dents and other emergency conditions to public safety service
formation related to the emergency patient and his care, such as
providers. In areas having cellular telephone coverage, motor
transmission of physiological information and exchange of
vehicle occupants with cellular telephone may make direct
patient assessment information and treatment information be-
calls to the local 9-1-1 PSAP. This use of cellular telephone for
tween EMS personnel at the scene and physicians providing
accessing public safety services is being facilitated through
on-line medical direction.
rule changes initiated in 1994 by provisions of the Federal
6.2.4 EMSS Resource Coordination—Exchanges of infor-
Communications Commission Rules under RM-8143 Docket
mation necessary for the effective coordination of all EMS
No. 94-102; to ensure compatibility of cellular 9-1-1 calls with
resources.
enhanced 911 emergency calling systems. Also, Citizen Band
6.2.5 Interservice Coordination—Exchanges of information
(CB) mobile radio operators can report observed emergencies
for coordination of EMS activities with police, fire, govern-
to volunteer CB base station radio monitors who in turn relay
ment agencies, and other resources, such as public utilities and
the information to appropriate public safety response agencies
private contractors.
via the 9-1-1 emergency telephone number or some other
6.2.6 Disaster Coordination—Exchanges of information re-
prearranged telephone number. Similarly, mobile equipped
lated to the coordination of EMS activities with those of local,
amateur radio operators can report observed emergencies to
state, and national disaster response authorities.
appropriate public safety authorities via the 9-1-1 emergency
telephone number using amateur radio/telephone interconnect
7. EMSS Functional Communications Requirements
services. Finally, motorists not equipped with mobile radio
7.1 An EMSS Communications system should provide the
communications, can report emergencies by stopping at the
means by which emergency resources can be accessed, mobi-
nearest roadside site having a public telephone and dialing
lized, managed, and coordinated. To accomplish this, a com-
9-1-1. In some locations, a statewide toll-free 800 telephone
munications system must incorporate operational provisions to
access number is available for calling state police. The avail-
employ sufficient wire-line and radio linkages and channels
ability of such 800 service should be indicated by road signs.
among all EMSS participants over the service area of the
Such 800 calls may also be made via cellular radio. Calls
EMSS (and for disaster response, between EMSS service
received by the state police may be transferred to the appro-
areas) to facilitate the EMSS functional needs described in 7.2
priate 9-1-1 answering point or directly to the designated
through 7.5 for communications.
response agency. The use of these numbers should include
7.2 Citizen Access:
provisions for assuring caller identification and loca
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