Radio Communications 101

Before you touch the radio.....Learn to Listen!

Answer 5 simple questions every time you hear dispatch.

WHO → WHO → WHERE → WHAT → WHAT NEXT?

Practice Active Listening

You will not become comfortable with radio traffic by just reading about it. You need to listen often. During training, shifts, ride-alongs, or approved monitoring, practice listening for structure instead of trying to catch every word.

Listen to the relay and look out for the same pieces of information every time. When dispatch speaks, your job is to quickly build a simple picture of the call. The goal is to train your brain to sort information quickly. This method turns radio noise into useful information. With practice, dispatch will start to sound less random and more predictable.

You should be able to answer these 5 questions:

Who is talking
Who is being called
Where is the call
What happened and how urgent it sounds
What you should prepare next

Basic Dispatch Structure

Most EMS dispatches follow a pattern. The wording may change, but the basic information is usually in this order.

Let's take look at this example:

“60-Control to ASVAC, respond to a motor vehicle accident on the Saw Mill River Parkway, southbound near Exit 17. Possible injuries. Police responding.”

In that example, you should hear:

Dispatch (60-control) is calling
ASVAC is being sent
The call is a MVA
Location is the Saw Mill River Parkway
Injuries are possible
Police are also responding

Normal Call Flow

Most calls move through the same basic steps. Knowing the order helps youunderstand what radio message should come next.

Dispatch → Respond → On Scene → Assess → Transport → Hospital → Available

Who will you hear on the radio

Plain language is becoming more common in emergency communications because it reduces confusion between agencies. However, a few old timers may still use code in addition to plain English. If a code and a plain-English phrase are both used, focus on the meaning of the message.

Common radio phrases

Be Loud and Clear

Good radio messages are short, calm, and organized. Before you transmit, take one second to think about what you need to say.

PUSH . PAUSE . TALK .

• Listen before speaking so you do not talk over another unit.
• Use your unit identifier.
• Speak slowly and clearly.
• Use plain English when possible.
• Keep the message brief.
• Repeat important information back to confirm it.
• Say “Say again” if you did not understand.
• Do not transmit patient names or unnecessary identifying information.

Closed-loop communication means you repeat important information back so the sender knows you understood it correctly. This helps prevent mistakes, especially during stressful calls.

Structure your Hospital Report

When giving a hospital report, use a consistent structure. A simple format like MIST helps you give the emergency department the most important information in a clear order before you arrive.

Know your Radio

It is important that you familiarize yourself with your portable radio. Learn what all the knobs and buttons do. Muscle memory matters when seconds count.

Practice Practice Practice

After you hear a dispatch, quietly practice summarizing it in one sentence. This drill teaches you to pull out the important details and ignore extra noise. Over time, dispatch will start to sound less random and more predictable — and you'll begin to predict what comes next.

As a new driver or EMT, your goal is not perfection on day one. Your goal is to improve steadily through practice, active listening, and clear communication.

Always follow ASVAC training, local protocols, dispatcher instructions, and your crew chief’s direction. When unsure, ask for clarification and always put safety first.

Experienced EMTs do more than hear the radio.

They organize the message, picture the scene, think ahead, and prepare for the next step.