U.S. Department of Transportation printed on recycled paper

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

State Level Planning Guide

Volume One

EMS Communication Needs

EMS Communication System Components

Public Access

Dispatch & Coordination

Medical Control Communications

State Communications Planning

EMS Communications History

Emergency Medical Communications Plan

EMS Radio Frequency Plan

The Regional System

Communications System Components

System Concepts

 CHAPTER HEADINGS 

Local and Regional Level Planning Guide

Volume Two

Writing the Regional EMS Plan Introduction

Defining the Regional Organization

Current EMS Communications Status

Analyzing Regional Requirements

Evaluating Regional Alternatives

Designing the Regional System

Developing Procurement Specifications

Developing a Funding Plan

Developing an Implementation Plan

Developing a Procurement Plan

TRAFFIC TECH

Technology Transfer Series

Number 129 June 1996

PLANNING EMERGENCY MEDICAL COMMUNICATIONS

The efficient response of Emergency Medical Services

(EMS) to highway crash victims has proven to be an

effective means for reducing fatalities. One of the most

important components of an EMS system is

communications. Over the years, serious problems have

arisen in EMS radio communications that have

jeopardized the timeliness and efficiency of EMS. 

Resolution of these problems transcends state

boundaries and requires a national focus. The National

Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has

begun work to develop a national consensus on remedies

to several EMS communication problems in the United

States and to plan for the impact of technological

changes on EMS communications.

As part of this work, NHTSA sponsored Planning

Emergency Medical Communications, developed by the

National Association of State Emergency Medical

Services Directors. Volume One, the State Level

Planning Guide contains general background

information about a two tiered approach to EMS

communications planning. First, the state plan

identifies the communications goals and factors that

need to be coordinated statewide to ensure

compatibility. Second, local plans are developed to

satisfy local system needs while providing compatibility

with other emergency medical services within the state. 

Volume Two, the Local and Regional Level Planning

Guide, gives more specific information and guidelines. 

It identifies five general categories of essential

information.

Public access to the system

Dispatch and coordination of resources For a copy of Volumes 1 (166 pgs) and 2 (93 pgs) of

Medical control for communications 

Interagency communication

Education of communications users

HOW TO ORDER

Planning Emergency Medical Communi-cations,

write to Emergency Medical Services Division,

NHTSA, NTS-42, 400 Seventh Street, S.W.,

Washington, DC 20590, or send a fax to (202) 366-

7721.
U.S. Department 

of Transportation

National Highway 

Traffic Safety 

Administration

400 Seventh Street, S.W. NTS-33

Washington, DC 20590

TRAFFIC TECH is a publication to disseminate 

information about traffic safety programs, 

including evaluations, innovative programs, 

and new publications. Feel free to copy it as you wish. 

If you would like to receive a copy contact:

Linda Cosgrove, Ph.D., Editor, Evaluation Staff

Traffic Safety Programs

(202) 366-2759, fax (202) 366-7096

E-MAIL: lcosgrove@nhtsa.dot.gov