Emergency medical services: dispatcher training.

Assembly Member Carrillo's emergency medical services legislation requires California's 911 call centers to provide standardized medical instructions to callers while emergency responders are en route. Under the measure, public safety agencies must implement protocols by January 2027 for dispatchers to guide callers through critical interventions including CPR, choking assistance, bleeding control, and the administration of emergency medications like epinephrine and naloxone.

The bill establishes minimum requirements for six types of prearrival medical instructions that agencies must provide: airway and choking protocols for all age groups, AED and CPR guidance, childbirth assistance, hemorrhage control, and steps for administering both epinephrine auto-injectors and naloxone. Local EMS agency medical directors must approve these protocols to ensure alignment with existing medical procedures. Agencies may either develop their own programs or contract with other public safety organizations that already provide approved caller instruction services.

The measure includes provisions to accommodate existing emergency response systems. Public safety agencies that currently offer medical guidance through emergency medical dispatch programs can maintain those protocols if already approved by local EMS directors. The bill also clarifies that dispatching peace officers who may provide basic first aid does not constitute medical response services under the new requirements. While expanding dispatcher responsibilities, the legislation preserves existing authorities for emergency medical dispatch guidelines and training standards.