Defining the terminology of first responders alerted for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by medical dispatch centres: An international consensus study on nomenclature

Camilla Metelmann; Bibiana Metelmann; Michael P Müller; Tommaso Scquizzato; Enrico Baldi; Tomas Barry; Bernd W Böttiger; Hans-Jörg Busch; Maria Luce Caputo; Sheldon Cheskes; Ruggero Cresta; Charles D Deakin; Eva Degraeuwe; Ankur A Doshi; Mette M Ekkel; Daniel Elschenbroich; David Fredman; Lorenzo Gamberini; Julian Ganter; Finn L Henriksen; Caroline Jagtenberg; Martin Jonsson; Michael Khalemsky; Tom A Kooy; Carsten Lott; Tore Marks; Koen G Monsieurs; Esther Moens; Wei Ming Ng; Jan-Steffen Pooth; Stefan Prasse; David D Salcido; Andrea Scapigliati; Nadja Schittko; Sebastian Schnaubelt; Sean S Scholz; Persia Shahriari; Paul Snobelen; Remy Stieglis; Bernd Strickmann; Hanno L Tan; Karl C Thies; Steven Vercammen; Wolfgang A Wetsch; Robert Greif

doi:10.1016/j.resplu.2025.100912

Defining the terminology of first responders alerted for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by medical dispatch centres: An international consensus study on nomenclature

Camilla Metelmann
, Bibiana Metelmann
, Michael P Müller
, Tommaso Scquizzato
, Enrico Baldi
, Tomas Barry
, Bernd W Böttiger
, Hans-Jörg Busch
, Maria Luce Caputo
, Sheldon Cheskes
, Ruggero Cresta
, Charles D Deakin
, Eva Degraeuwe
, Ankur A Doshi
, Mette M Ekkel
, Daniel Elschenbroich
, David Fredman
, Lorenzo Gamberini
, Julian Ganter
, Finn L Henriksen

Caroline Jagtenberg, Martin Jonsson, Michael Khalemsky, Tom A Kooy, Carsten Lott, Tore Marks, Koen G Monsieurs, Esther Moens, Wei Ming Ng, Jan-Steffen Pooth, Stefan Prasse, David D Salcido, Andrea Scapigliati, Nadja Schittko, Sebastian Schnaubelt, Sean S Scholz, Persia Shahriari, Paul Snobelen, Remy Stieglis, Bernd Strickmann, Hanno L Tan, Karl C Thies, Steven Vercammen, Wolfgang A Wetsch, Robert Greif

Research output: Journal article (peer-reviewed) › Journal article

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

AIM: Emergency medical services target to reduce time to cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation by alerting additional individuals to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Multiple terms are used to describe these individuals, potentially causing confusion and hindering comparisons. This international consensus study aimed to establish standardised terminology.

METHODS: Forty-six interdisciplinary researchers from four continents participated in a symposium on "Community First Responders" with the objective of standardising relevant terminology. Initially, terms were proposed anonymously for individuals alerted during work hours and those alerted during leisure time. Each term was rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Terms receiving a high level of agreement were included in the final voting process.

RESULTS: Seven terms were suggested for individuals alerted during work hours. In the first voting "first responder", "professional first responder", and "on-duty first responder" achieved high agreement. Ultimately, consensus was reached on the term "on-duty first responder".For individuals alerted during leisure time, ten terms were proposed. Among these, "first responder", "citizen first responder", "community emergency responder", "community first responder", "volunteer first responder", "volunteer responder", and "volunteer community first responder" reached high agreement. In the final vote "community first responder" was selected.The consensus group agreed that the overarching term "first responder" should be used to describe all community-based individuals, who are alerted, regardless of whether they are on duty or off duty.

CONCLUSION: This consensus study recommends using the terms "on-duty first responder" and "community first responder" to describe individuals additionally alerted by medical dispatch centres to facilitate early intervention in OHCA.

Original language	English
Article number	100912
Pages (from-to)	100912
Journal	Resuscitation Plus
Volume	22
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resplu.2025.100912
Publication status	Published - Mar 2025
Externally published	Yes

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10.1016/j.resplu.2025.100912

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Metelmann, C., Metelmann, B., Müller, M. P., Scquizzato, T., Baldi, E., Barry, T., Böttiger, B. W., Busch, H.-J., Caputo, M. L., Cheskes, S., Cresta, R., Deakin, C. D., Degraeuwe, E., Doshi, A. A., Ekkel, M. M., Elschenbroich, D., Fredman, D., Gamberini, L., Ganter, J., ... Greif, R. (2025). Defining the terminology of first responders alerted for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by medical dispatch centres: An international consensus study on nomenclature. Resuscitation Plus, 22, 100912. Article 100912. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resplu.2025.100912

@article{5bb1a2a6b63045d79e9753623de000f9,

title = "Defining the terminology of first responders alerted for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by medical dispatch centres: An international consensus study on nomenclature",

abstract = "AIM: Emergency medical services target to reduce time to cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation by alerting additional individuals to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Multiple terms are used to describe these individuals, potentially causing confusion and hindering comparisons. This international consensus study aimed to establish standardised terminology.METHODS: Forty-six interdisciplinary researchers from four continents participated in a symposium on {"}Community First Responders{"} with the objective of standardising relevant terminology. Initially, terms were proposed anonymously for individuals alerted during work hours and those alerted during leisure time. Each term was rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Terms receiving a high level of agreement were included in the final voting process.RESULTS: Seven terms were suggested for individuals alerted during work hours. In the first voting {"}first responder{"}, {"}professional first responder{"}, and {"}on-duty first responder{"} achieved high agreement. Ultimately, consensus was reached on the term {"}on-duty first responder{"}.For individuals alerted during leisure time, ten terms were proposed. Among these, {"}first responder{"}, {"}citizen first responder{"}, {"}community emergency responder{"}, {"}community first responder{"}, {"}volunteer first responder{"}, {"}volunteer responder{"}, and {"}volunteer community first responder{"} reached high agreement. In the final vote {"}community first responder{"} was selected.The consensus group agreed that the overarching term {"}first responder{"} should be used to describe all community-based individuals, who are alerted, regardless of whether they are on duty or off duty.CONCLUSION: This consensus study recommends using the terms {"}on-duty first responder{"} and {"}community first responder{"} to describe individuals additionally alerted by medical dispatch centres to facilitate early intervention in OHCA.",

author = "Camilla Metelmann and Bibiana Metelmann and M{\"u}ller, \{Michael P\} and Tommaso Scquizzato and Enrico Baldi and Tomas Barry and B{\"o}ttiger, \{Bernd W\} and Hans-J{\"o}rg Busch and Caputo, \{Maria Luce\} and Sheldon Cheskes and Ruggero Cresta and Deakin, \{Charles D\} and Eva Degraeuwe and Doshi, \{Ankur A\} and Ekkel, \{Mette M\} and Daniel Elschenbroich and David Fredman and Lorenzo Gamberini and Julian Ganter and Henriksen, \{Finn L\} and Caroline Jagtenberg and Martin Jonsson and Michael Khalemsky and Kooy, \{Tom A\} and Carsten Lott and Tore Marks and Monsieurs, \{Koen G\} and Esther Moens and Ng, \{Wei Ming\} and Jan-Steffen Pooth and Stefan Prasse and Salcido, \{David D\} and Andrea Scapigliati and Nadja Schittko and Sebastian Schnaubelt and Scholz, \{Sean S\} and Persia Shahriari and Paul Snobelen and Remy Stieglis and Bernd Strickmann and Tan, \{Hanno L\} and Thies, \{Karl C\} and Steven Vercammen and Wetsch, \{Wolfgang A\} and Robert Greif",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2025 The Author(s)",

year = "2025",

month = mar,

doi = "10.1016/j.resplu.2025.100912",

language = "English",

volume = "22",

pages = "100912",

journal = "Resuscitation Plus",

issn = "2666-5204",

publisher = "Elsevier B.V.",

}

Metelmann, C, Metelmann, B, Müller, MP, Scquizzato, T, Baldi, E, Barry, T, Böttiger, BW, Busch, H-J, Caputo, ML, Cheskes, S, Cresta, R, Deakin, CD, Degraeuwe, E, Doshi, AA, Ekkel, MM, Elschenbroich, D, Fredman, D, Gamberini, L, Ganter, J, Henriksen, FL, Jagtenberg, C, Jonsson, M, Khalemsky, M, Kooy, TA, Lott, C, Marks, T, Monsieurs, KG, Moens, E, Ng, WM, Pooth, J-S, Prasse, S, Salcido, DD, Scapigliati, A, Schittko, N, Schnaubelt, S, Scholz, SS, Shahriari, P, Snobelen, P, Stieglis, R, Strickmann, B, Tan, HL, Thies, KC, Vercammen, S, Wetsch, WA & Greif, R 2025, 'Defining the terminology of first responders alerted for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by medical dispatch centres: An international consensus study on nomenclature', Resuscitation Plus, vol. 22, 100912, pp. 100912. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resplu.2025.100912

TY - JOUR

T1 - Defining the terminology of first responders alerted for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by medical dispatch centres

T2 - An international consensus study on nomenclature

AU - Metelmann, Camilla

AU - Metelmann, Bibiana

AU - Müller, Michael P

AU - Scquizzato, Tommaso

AU - Baldi, Enrico

AU - Barry, Tomas

AU - Böttiger, Bernd W

AU - Busch, Hans-Jörg

AU - Caputo, Maria Luce

AU - Cheskes, Sheldon

AU - Cresta, Ruggero

AU - Deakin, Charles D

AU - Degraeuwe, Eva

AU - Doshi, Ankur A

AU - Ekkel, Mette M

AU - Elschenbroich, Daniel

AU - Fredman, David

AU - Gamberini, Lorenzo

AU - Ganter, Julian

AU - Henriksen, Finn L

AU - Jagtenberg, Caroline

AU - Jonsson, Martin

AU - Khalemsky, Michael

AU - Kooy, Tom A

AU - Lott, Carsten

AU - Marks, Tore

AU - Monsieurs, Koen G

AU - Moens, Esther

AU - Ng, Wei Ming

AU - Pooth, Jan-Steffen

AU - Prasse, Stefan

AU - Salcido, David D

AU - Scapigliati, Andrea

AU - Schittko, Nadja

AU - Schnaubelt, Sebastian

AU - Scholz, Sean S

AU - Shahriari, Persia

AU - Snobelen, Paul

AU - Stieglis, Remy

AU - Strickmann, Bernd

AU - Tan, Hanno L

AU - Thies, Karl C

AU - Vercammen, Steven

AU - Wetsch, Wolfgang A

AU - Greif, Robert

PY - 2025/3

Y1 - 2025/3

N2 - AIM: Emergency medical services target to reduce time to cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation by alerting additional individuals to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Multiple terms are used to describe these individuals, potentially causing confusion and hindering comparisons. This international consensus study aimed to establish standardised terminology.METHODS: Forty-six interdisciplinary researchers from four continents participated in a symposium on "Community First Responders" with the objective of standardising relevant terminology. Initially, terms were proposed anonymously for individuals alerted during work hours and those alerted during leisure time. Each term was rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Terms receiving a high level of agreement were included in the final voting process.RESULTS: Seven terms were suggested for individuals alerted during work hours. In the first voting "first responder", "professional first responder", and "on-duty first responder" achieved high agreement. Ultimately, consensus was reached on the term "on-duty first responder".For individuals alerted during leisure time, ten terms were proposed. Among these, "first responder", "citizen first responder", "community emergency responder", "community first responder", "volunteer first responder", "volunteer responder", and "volunteer community first responder" reached high agreement. In the final vote "community first responder" was selected.The consensus group agreed that the overarching term "first responder" should be used to describe all community-based individuals, who are alerted, regardless of whether they are on duty or off duty.CONCLUSION: This consensus study recommends using the terms "on-duty first responder" and "community first responder" to describe individuals additionally alerted by medical dispatch centres to facilitate early intervention in OHCA.

AB - AIM: Emergency medical services target to reduce time to cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation by alerting additional individuals to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Multiple terms are used to describe these individuals, potentially causing confusion and hindering comparisons. This international consensus study aimed to establish standardised terminology.METHODS: Forty-six interdisciplinary researchers from four continents participated in a symposium on "Community First Responders" with the objective of standardising relevant terminology. Initially, terms were proposed anonymously for individuals alerted during work hours and those alerted during leisure time. Each term was rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Terms receiving a high level of agreement were included in the final voting process.RESULTS: Seven terms were suggested for individuals alerted during work hours. In the first voting "first responder", "professional first responder", and "on-duty first responder" achieved high agreement. Ultimately, consensus was reached on the term "on-duty first responder".For individuals alerted during leisure time, ten terms were proposed. Among these, "first responder", "citizen first responder", "community emergency responder", "community first responder", "volunteer first responder", "volunteer responder", and "volunteer community first responder" reached high agreement. In the final vote "community first responder" was selected.The consensus group agreed that the overarching term "first responder" should be used to describe all community-based individuals, who are alerted, regardless of whether they are on duty or off duty.CONCLUSION: This consensus study recommends using the terms "on-duty first responder" and "community first responder" to describe individuals additionally alerted by medical dispatch centres to facilitate early intervention in OHCA.

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85219513797

U2 - 10.1016/j.resplu.2025.100912

DO - 10.1016/j.resplu.2025.100912

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 40123987

SN - 2666-5204

VL - 22

SP - 100912

JO - Resuscitation Plus

JF - Resuscitation Plus

M1 - 100912

ER -

Defining the terminology of first responders alerted for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by medical dispatch centres: An international consensus study on nomenclature

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