Prerequisites: EMD experience or certification is recommended
APCO Institute’s EMD Illuminations program is and annual subscription-based service that allows you to obtain topic-specific, at-your-desk continuing education.
EMD Illuminations includes monthly topics of particular interest to emergency medical dispatchers, although the track is open to anyone. Subscribers earn one CDE for each.
2025 Topics Include:
| January: | Piercings and Self Mutilations This Illuminations course provides public safety telecommunicators with essential knowledge about body piercings, self-mutilations, and impaled objects. By the end of this course, participants will be able to understand the care, risks, and proper handling of piercings and impaled objects, as well as recognize potential complications that may arise. |
| February: | Pediatric Emergency Calls This EMD Illuminations course identifies pediatric emergencies commonly handled by the EMD. Signs and symptoms of pediatric medical emergencies such as respiratory distress, severe allergic reactions, choking, seizures, diabetes, and traumatic injuries are reviewed. EMD call-handling procedures and post-dispatch instructions for these call types are considered. |
| March: | When lightning Strikes! This Illuminations course provides public safety telecommunicators with critical knowledge about lightning strikes and their effects on individuals. By the end of this course, participants will be able to understand the nature of lightning strike emergencies, gather essential information from callers, and assist both the caller and emergency responders in managing these rare but life-threatening incidents. |
| April: | Refreshing Your Medical Term Knowledge This EMD Illuminations session defines standard medical terms associated with Emergency Medical Dispatch. Participants will learn the meaning, medical conditions, diseases, symptoms, and emergencies associated with terms such as agonal, anaphylactic, arrhythmia, cyanosis, diaphoresis, dyspnea, hypertension, hypoglycemia, stoma, and trachea. |
| May: | Animal Maulings This Illuminations course provides public safety telecommunicators with essential skills for managing high-stress, high-stakes emergency calls involving animal mauling’s. By the end of this course, participants will be able to apply critical steps, ask the right questions, and provide life-saving instructions while waiting for responders to arrive. Additionally, they will gain insight into common caller reactions during emergencies, helping them maintain composure under pressure. |
| June: | Recognizing “Chest Pain” This EMD Illuminations session explains common conditions frequently reported to the EMD as “chest pain.” Participants will recognize that “chest pain” complaints may be cardiac issues, gastrointestinal problems, musculoskeletal injuries, pulmonary conditions, or other causes such as panic attacks or shingles. Typical cardiac and non-cardiac signs and symptoms are identified and explained. |
| July: | Explosive Injuries This Illuminations course provides public safety telecommunicators with crucial knowledge about handling explosive injuries. By the end of this course, participants will be able to gather essential information, ask the right questions, and provide clear, calm instructions to callers during or after explosive incidents. Additionally, you will learn how to effectively handle these incidents by ensuring the critical details needed to act swiftly and efficiently in high-pressure situations. |
| August: | Barotrauma: Physical Damage to Body Tissues During this EMD Illuminations session, the EMD will learn that barotrauma is physical damage to body tissues occurring in environments with a rapid increase or decrease in pressure, such as underwater diving or aircraft flying. The participant will recognize the signs, symptoms, and medical emergencies associated with ear, sinus, and lung barotrauma episodes. Appropriate EMD questions and post-dispatch instructions for these conditions are discussed. |
| September: | Confines Spaces and Their Hazards This Illuminations course provides public safety telecommunicators with essential skills for handling confined space and entrapment emergency calls. By the end of this course, participants will be able to gather detailed information about the location, type of space, and the condition of the trapped individual. They will also understand the hazards involved, such as limited oxygen, toxic gases, and structural instability. Additionally, participants will learn how to provide clear, calm instructions to callers, coordinate with specialized rescue teams, and relay precise information to ensure the most effective life-saving response. |
| October: | Identifying the Cause of Vehicle Fires In this EMD Illuminations course, the EMD will identify common causes of vehicle fires, such as vehicle crashes, electrical malfunction, fuel leaks, and arson. The participant will recognize essential information-gathering details, including the type and size of the fire, flames, smoke, hazardous materials, number and type of injuries, and scene safety. |
| November: | Crush Injuries: Vehicle Accidents and More This Illuminations course provides public safety telecommunicators with vital knowledge on managing crush injury emergencies. By the end of this course, participants will be able to understand the causes of crush injuries, from vehicle accidents to industrial incidents, and their severe impact on victims. Participants will learn how to gather critical information from callers, such as the details of the incident, the victim’s condition, and any potential hazards. Additionally, they will be equipped to provide clear, calm life saving instructions to callers while awaiting responders, enhancing their ability to manage these complex, high-stakes situations with confidence. |
| December: | Common Causes of Industrial Accidents This EMD Illuminations course examines common causes of industrial accidents reported to the EMD. The participant will recognize accident causes such as chemical spills, equipment malfunction, falls, and fires. EMD instructions for injuries related to these incidents are identified. Pertinent safety information, including hazard identification, evacuation protocols, and Personal Protective Equipment, are reviewed. |
COST: Annual Subscription (per student):
(No refunds, transfers, or substitutions allowed for this program)
| Options | Price |
|---|---|
| Non-Member | $145 |
| APCO Member | $125 |
| Group of 26-50 registrants | $115 per person |
| Group of 51 and up registrants | $105 per person |
APCO Institute is committed to bringing you affordable, quality training and education. Please take the opportunity to try out this new learning medium and invite a co-worker or two to join you!
