Qualification of emergency medical dispatch personnel

German dispatch centres have evolved from switchboards to highly reliability organisations within the last decade. This shift did not happen homogeneously and has not been completed yet. This paper focuses on the future qualification of emergency medical dispatchers, particularly with regard to the new federal legislation on the education of emergency medical technicians. Examination and analysis of available literature, and summary of the current state of the political discussion. Dispatch core processes have been transposed differently depending on regional contexts. It becomes increasingly clear, however, that dispatch centres are perceived as increasingly independent both with respect to emergency medicine as well as fire and rescue. Beyond setting of strategic directions, dispatch centres affect therapeutic processes such as bystander resuscitation by offering "telephone-CPR" and thus involve themselves directly in the medical care of emergency patients. The vital importance of emergency dispatching with regard to safe, high-quality patient care is undisputed. This fact should lead to the creation of an independent occupational profile for emergency medical dispatchers.