The First Responder may function in the context of a broader role, i.e., law enforcement, fire rescue, or industrial response. With a limited amount of equipment, the First Responder answers emergency calls to provide efficient and immediate care to ill and injured patients. After receiving notification of an emergency, the First Responder safely responds to the address or location given.

• Functions in uncommon situations;
• Has a basic understanding of stress response and methods to ensure; personal well-being;
• Has an understanding of body substance isolation;
• Understands basic medical-legal principles;
• Functions within the scope of care as defined by state, regional and local regulatory agencies;
• Complies with regulations on the handling of the deceased, protection of property and evidence at scene, while awaiting additional EMS resources 

Before initiating patient care, the First Responder will "size-up" the scene to determine that the scene is safe, to identify the mechanism of injury or nature of illness, and the total number of patients, and to request additional help if necessary. In the absence of law enforcement, creates a safe traffic environment. Using a limited amount of equipment, the FR renders emergency medical care to adults, children, and infants based on assessment findings. Duties include but are not limited to:

• Opening and maintaining an airway;
• Ventilating patients;
• Administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation;
• Providing emergency medical care of simple and multiple system trauma such as:
  • Controlling hemorrhage,
  • Bandaging wounds,
  • Manually stabilizing injured extremities.
• Providing emergency medical care to:
  • Assist in childbirth
  • Manage general medical complaints, altered mental status, seizures, environmental emergencies, behavioral emergencies and psychological crises.
• Searching for medical identification emblems as a guide to appropriate emergency medical care.
• Reassuring patients and bystanders by working in a confident, efficient manner.
• Avoiding mishandling and undue haste while working expeditiously to accomplish the task.

Where a patient must be extricated from entrapment, assesses the extent of injury and assists other EMS providers rendering emergency medical care and protection to the entrapped patient. Performs emergency moves and assists other EMS providers in the use of the prescribed techniques and appliances for safely removing the patient.

Under the direction and supervision of other EMS providers, assists in lifting the stretcher, placing the stretcher in the ambulance, and seeing that the patient and stretcher are secured. If needed, radios the dispatcher for additional help or special rescue and/or utility services. In cases of multiple patients, performs basic triage.

Reports directly to the responding EMS unit or communications center the nature and extent of injuries, the number of patients, and the condition of each patient. Identifies assessment findings that may require communicating with medical oversight for advice.

Constantly assesses patient while awaiting additional EMS resources.

Administers additional care as indicated.

Orally reports their observations and emergency medical care of the patient to the transporting EMS unit. Upon request, provides assistance to the transporting unit staff.

After each call, restocks and replaces used supplies, cleans all equipment following appropriate disinfecting procedures, and carefully checks all equipment to ensure availability for next response.

Attends continuing education and refresher education programs as required by employers, medical oversight, and licensing or certifying agencies.

Meets qualifications within the functional job analysis.

Source: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/ems/pub/frnsc.pdf