1.1 This guide covers telecommunications practices and performance standards required to support all of the functions of community EMSS on a statewide basis. It defines state planning goals and objectives for EMSS communications.
1.2 This guide is for planning, coordinating, integrating, and evaluating telecommunications resources statewide to satisfy the functional needs of comprehensive community EMSS systems.
1.3 To facilitate a two-tiered planning approach recommended for EMSS communications, this guide identifies those communications system features that should be coordinated on a statewide basis and defined in statewide (first tier) EMSS communications planning guidelines. Local (second tier) EMSS communications plans prepared in accordance with the statewide guidelines should then be tailored to satisfy local EMSS needs while providing compatibility and interoperability of communications with other EMSS.
1.4 The sections in this guide appear in the following sequence:
SectionScope1Referenced Documents2Terminology3Summary of Guide4Significance and Use5Functions and Categories of EMSS Communications6Telecommunications Functions6.1Telecommunications Categories6.2EMSS Functional Communications Requirements7General Information7.1Citizen Access7.2EMSS Vehicle Dispatch and Coordination7.3Medical Coordination/Direction7.4Interservice Communications7.5Radio Frequency Spectrum and Service Requirements8Radio Frequencies8.1EMSS Radio Service Coverage8.2Operational Considerations8.3Goals and Objectives for EMSS Communications9Goal 1-State EMSS Communication Should Meet Recog-nized1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.