Emergency Radio Communication & MPDS Response Protocols for Paramedics
ACO Ambulance Communications Officer
CACC Central Ambulance Communications Centre
PSRN Public Safety Radio Network
PCOM Provincial Common Channel
PTT button Press/Push-To-Talk button
OOR Out of Range
SYS System
TAC channel Talk-Around Channel - used for hospital patches, MCIs, special operations
DVR(S) Digital Vehicle Repeater (System)
TalkGroup a group of channels assigned to a group of users
Zone a folder or a geographical CACC area containing multiple TalkGroups
Radio Check A message indicating the STRENGTH and CLARITY of a transmission on a
readability scale
, MPDS Medical Priority Dispatch System that prioritizes ambulance responses based on
patient acuity
Protocols 36 Protocols (chief complaints) used in MPDS
Determinant Codes Over 2,000 codes that identify type of problem, acuity level, and
specific details related to the chief complaint
New MPDS Priority Levels Colour-based priority levels reflecting patient acuity and
required resources
Purple Highest acuity - emergent and immediate life threatening - time critical
Red Emergent and potentially life risking - time sensitive
Orange Urgent and potentially serious, immediate threat to life very unlikely - time may
be a factor
Yellow Non-urgent, not serious, immediate threat to life very unlikely - not time sensitive
Green Lowest acuity - non-urgent, not serious, immediate threat to life very unlikely -
not time sensitive
Dispatch Life Support (DLS) Provide pre-arrival instructions to assist the patient
Case Exit Safely and effectively conclude the call
ACO Ambulance Communications Officer
CACC Central Ambulance Communications Centre
PSRN Public Safety Radio Network
PCOM Provincial Common Channel
PTT button Press/Push-To-Talk button
OOR Out of Range
SYS System
TAC channel Talk-Around Channel - used for hospital patches, MCIs, special operations
DVR(S) Digital Vehicle Repeater (System)
TalkGroup a group of channels assigned to a group of users
Zone a folder or a geographical CACC area containing multiple TalkGroups
Radio Check A message indicating the STRENGTH and CLARITY of a transmission on a
readability scale
, MPDS Medical Priority Dispatch System that prioritizes ambulance responses based on
patient acuity
Protocols 36 Protocols (chief complaints) used in MPDS
Determinant Codes Over 2,000 codes that identify type of problem, acuity level, and
specific details related to the chief complaint
New MPDS Priority Levels Colour-based priority levels reflecting patient acuity and
required resources
Purple Highest acuity - emergent and immediate life threatening - time critical
Red Emergent and potentially life risking - time sensitive
Orange Urgent and potentially serious, immediate threat to life very unlikely - time may
be a factor
Yellow Non-urgent, not serious, immediate threat to life very unlikely - not time sensitive
Green Lowest acuity - non-urgent, not serious, immediate threat to life very unlikely -
not time sensitive
Dispatch Life Support (DLS) Provide pre-arrival instructions to assist the patient
Case Exit Safely and effectively conclude the call
