When communicating with medical control by radio, the first information you should provide?

• A. Describe the patient’s condition in detail
• B. State your location
• C. Request permission to proceed
• D. Identify yourself

Answer: (D)

Establish who is calling first. When you reach medical control by radio, the very first thing you say should be your unit identification or call sign. This immediately tells the supervisor who is reporting, which unit is on the line, and who has the authority to make decisions. That identification builds accountability, ensures the message is received by the right person, and reduces confusion in a busy channel. After you identify yourself, you would then give your location, a concise description of the patient’s condition, and what you plan to do, or request permission to proceed. Without identifying yourself first, control may not know who is speaking and cannot respond appropriately.