Which type of questions should EMD personnel prioritize when assessing an emergency?

EMD personnel should prioritize open-ended questions when assessing an emergency because these types of questions encourage callers to share comprehensive and detailed information about the situation at hand. By asking open-ended questions, EMDs can gather crucial data related to the medical emergency, including symptoms, conditions, and the context surrounding the incident. This more nuanced information is essential for accurately determining the appropriate response and resources needed.

Open-ended questions facilitate a dialogue that can reveal additional details that the caller may not have considered relevant, which could significantly impact the emergency response. This approach also helps build rapport between the dispatcher and the caller, encouraging the caller to provide a fuller picture of the emergency, leading to better decision-making by the EMD.

Other types of questions, such as closed questions or yes/no questions, may limit the amount of information shared, potentially omitting vital details necessary for an effective response. Multiple-choice questions, while offering clarity, also restrict the caller's responses to predefined options and may not capture the full nature of an emergency situation.