Final answer:
The first EMS professional the public usually encounters is the dispatcher, who directs emergency response resources to the scene. Paramedics, highly trained in various medical fields, engage after being dispatched and provide vital on-scene medical care.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first EMS professional with whom the public usually deals is the dispatcher. This is the person responsible for receiving emergency calls and directing the appropriate resources to the scene. While paramedics provide a critical role in treating and stabilizing patients in the field, it is typically the dispatcher who serves as the initial point of contact in an emergency situation. Paramedics come into action after they have been dispatched to the scene, often working closely under the guidance of medical directors and potentially in various challenging environments such as mountain rescue or with SWAT teams. Paramedics require extensive training, including knowledge in anatomy, physiology, and chemistry, to efficiently handle a wide array of medical emergencies and administer emergency drugs as required.