What is the third step in the 5 step process of receiving and dispatching an emergency call?

The third step in the 5-step process of receiving and dispatching an emergency call is classification and prioritization. This step is crucial because it involves determining the nature of the emergency and assessing its severity. By classifying the call, dispatchers can identify the type of incident—whether it’s a fire, medical emergency, or other hazard—and prioritize it accordingly, which helps in ensuring that the most critical situations are addressed first.

Prioritization helps in assigning resources effectively and efficiently. When calls are prioritized based on urgency, dispatchers can allocate appropriate response units to incidents that require immediate attention, while still managing less urgent calls appropriately. This systematic approach can significantly impact response times and the overall effectiveness of emergency services.

In contrast, while field assessment, response unit assignment, and caller confirmation are all critical components of the emergency dispatch process, they occur at different stages and are reliant on the initial classification of the call to determine the appropriate action.