What is the purpose of the Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) protocol?

The purpose of the Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) protocol is to ensure that callers receive essential pre-arrival medical instructions while emergency services are on their way to the scene. This protocol includes a systematic approach to gather vital information from the caller about the medical situation and offer guidance that can be critical in saving lives or mitigating the patient's condition until responders arrive. This aspect of EMD is particularly important as it not only helps assess the urgency of the situation but also empowers the caller with actionable steps to take while awaiting professional help.

The other options do not align with the primary function of EMD. Non-urgent medical calls do not typically warrant the structured approach defined by EMD, which is focused on emergencies. Training dispatchers in emergency responses is undoubtedly essential for overall emergency management but does not represent the specific function of EMD protocols. Scheduling routine medical check-ups is outside the scope of EMD, which is tailored for immediate, crisis-level medical guidance rather than preventive or non-emergent care scenarios.