APCO EMD Test Review - Modules 1 & 2
Questions and Complete Solutions
Graded A+
Definition of an EMD - Answer: -Primary and initial point of contact for callers
-Initiates and coordinates the necessary emergency service response
-Provide medical assistance to callers over the phone based on what their emergency is
Responsibilities of an EMD - Answer: 1. Receive and process calls for services
2. Determine the nature and severity of the medical incident without diagnosing
3. Coordinate and dispatch appropriate services
4. Provide medical assistance using the EMD Guidecards
5. Maintain caller contact
Characteristics of a Successful EMD - Answer: 1. Maintain confidentiality
2. Helpful, compassionate, and polite
3. Effectively handles the emotional stress of the call
4. Masters the skill, philosophy, and knowledge of EMD
5. Reacts positively to hostile callers
6. Has a working knowledge of local EMS systems
7. Clear, concise, and uses accurate speech
General Elements of EMS - Answer: 1. Common Resources
2. BLS vs ALS
3. Law Enforcement Resources
4. Hospitals/Emergency Care Facilities
5. Tiered EMS-System Structures
, Four Tiers of EMS - Answer: 1. First Responders
2. BLS - Basic Life Support
3. ALS - Advanced Life Support
4. Air Ambulance
Tiers of EMS:
Tier 1 - Firs Responders - Answer: Provide immediate response to events that are determined to be
highly urgent
Tiers of EMS:
Tier 2 - Basic Life Support (BLS) Units - Answer: Usually staffed by EMTs that have at least 110 hours of
training in patient assessment and treatment of fractures, lacerations, and other minor injuries
Tiers of EMS:
Tier 3 - Advanced Life Support - Answer: Usually staffed by EMT-Intermediate, EMT-Advanced, or EMT-
Paramedics who have advanced training in care and treatment and can perform a variety of medical
functions such as basic life support, advanced cardiac life support, Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Interpretation, administering specific cardiac medications and other therapeutic medications along with
airway maintenance
Tiers of EMS:
Tier 4 - Air Ambulance - Answer: Usually a hospital-based ALS helicopter staffed by paramedics and
nurses used in severe cases where transport time to the hospital may be the determining factor in
patient survival or in remote areas not easily accessed by EMS ground units
Resource Allocation - Answer: -Resources are the EMS units that you dispatch
-Demands in-depth knowledge of the local EMS system and a complete understanding of the philosophy
of effective dispatch
-Knowing the capabilities of each and understanding what they can and cannot do for a patient in
different situations will help to determine what is needed
-Understanding of responder capabilities
Questions and Complete Solutions
Graded A+
Definition of an EMD - Answer: -Primary and initial point of contact for callers
-Initiates and coordinates the necessary emergency service response
-Provide medical assistance to callers over the phone based on what their emergency is
Responsibilities of an EMD - Answer: 1. Receive and process calls for services
2. Determine the nature and severity of the medical incident without diagnosing
3. Coordinate and dispatch appropriate services
4. Provide medical assistance using the EMD Guidecards
5. Maintain caller contact
Characteristics of a Successful EMD - Answer: 1. Maintain confidentiality
2. Helpful, compassionate, and polite
3. Effectively handles the emotional stress of the call
4. Masters the skill, philosophy, and knowledge of EMD
5. Reacts positively to hostile callers
6. Has a working knowledge of local EMS systems
7. Clear, concise, and uses accurate speech
General Elements of EMS - Answer: 1. Common Resources
2. BLS vs ALS
3. Law Enforcement Resources
4. Hospitals/Emergency Care Facilities
5. Tiered EMS-System Structures
, Four Tiers of EMS - Answer: 1. First Responders
2. BLS - Basic Life Support
3. ALS - Advanced Life Support
4. Air Ambulance
Tiers of EMS:
Tier 1 - Firs Responders - Answer: Provide immediate response to events that are determined to be
highly urgent
Tiers of EMS:
Tier 2 - Basic Life Support (BLS) Units - Answer: Usually staffed by EMTs that have at least 110 hours of
training in patient assessment and treatment of fractures, lacerations, and other minor injuries
Tiers of EMS:
Tier 3 - Advanced Life Support - Answer: Usually staffed by EMT-Intermediate, EMT-Advanced, or EMT-
Paramedics who have advanced training in care and treatment and can perform a variety of medical
functions such as basic life support, advanced cardiac life support, Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Interpretation, administering specific cardiac medications and other therapeutic medications along with
airway maintenance
Tiers of EMS:
Tier 4 - Air Ambulance - Answer: Usually a hospital-based ALS helicopter staffed by paramedics and
nurses used in severe cases where transport time to the hospital may be the determining factor in
patient survival or in remote areas not easily accessed by EMS ground units
Resource Allocation - Answer: -Resources are the EMS units that you dispatch
-Demands in-depth knowledge of the local EMS system and a complete understanding of the philosophy
of effective dispatch
-Knowing the capabilities of each and understanding what they can and cannot do for a patient in
different situations will help to determine what is needed
-Understanding of responder capabilities
