On April 10, 2020, Governor Northam enacted a law requiring dispatchers in all Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), commonly referred to as 9-1-1 centers, to receive training in Telecommunicators Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (TCPR).
What is TCPR?
Telecommunicator CPR is the delivery of high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) instruction by trained 9-1-1 telecommunicators (dispatchers) for acute events requiring CPR, including out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.
What are the Requirements for PSAPS?
- By July 1, 2021, the Office of Emergency Medical Services shall adopt standards for training and equipment required for the provision of TCPR by dispatchers.
- On or before January 1, 2022, each Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) shall provide training in TCPR to each dispatcher in its employ and shall provide its dispatchers with equipment necessary for the provision of TCPR.
Helpful Links
TCPR Training Standards
TCPR training programs shall ensure the delivery of high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation instruction for acute events requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation by trained dispatchers. The Office of EMS created the following training standards for any TCPR class utilized to meet the requirements set forth by the Code of Virginia §56.484.16:1.
PSAPs are required to maintain CPR certification for all dispatchers that include, at a minimum, the following elements:
- Adult CPR
- Child CPR
- Infant CPR
- AED utilization
PSAPs are also required to provide initial TCPR training for all dispatchers that teaches, at a minimum, the following objectives:
- Overview of Telecommunicator CPR
- Recognition protocols for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA)
- Steps in performing a consciousness assessment
- Steps in performing a breathing assessment
- Recognition of ineffective or agonal breathing
- How to deliver effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation instructions for callers
PSAPs that implement and maintain EMD protocols and training by OEMS recognized emergency dispatch training organizations or emergency communications center agencies that meets or exceeds OEMS standards referenced in the previous paragraph will be considered to have met this training requirement.
Approved Training Classes
The following courses are recognized as meeting the approved training standards:
- Virtual Academy TCPR training:
- PowerPhone TCPR training:
- SaveMIHeart TCPR training:
- RQI Telecommunicator Programs
If you have a class you would like to be reviewed for inclusion in this list please contact Sam Burnette, Emergency Services Coordinator, at (804) 888-9100 or Samuel.Burnette@vdh.virginia.gov.
Review Process to Approve TCPR Training:
TCPR training programs will be evaluated by OEMS on the following criteria:
- Review of course goals and objectives.
- Inclusion of mandatory topics defined in this training standard.
- Review of course training materials.
- Compression-only TCPR instruction based on nationally recognized guidelines.
- An examination that students must pass and receive proof of course completion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is TCPR?
Telecommunicator CPR is the delivery of high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) instruction by trained 9-1-1 telecommunicators (dispatchers) for acute events requiring CPR, including out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.
What TCPR programs are approved?
See the "Approved Training Classes" tab above for a list of classes that have been approved by OEMS according to the developed training standards.
Where can I find the code language related to TCPR training requirements?
The section of code that references TCPR training can be found here: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title56/chapter15/section56-484.16:1/