What characterizes a "hot response"?

A "hot response" is characterized by the use of lights and sirens by an ambulance or emergency vehicle while also having special traffic privileges. This means that during a hot response, the emergency vehicle is allowed to navigate through traffic more aggressively than standard vehicles, often using lights and sirens to alert other road users of their urgent status. This level of response is typically reserved for situations where immediate medical intervention is necessary, such as critical emergencies where every second counts.

The use of lights and sirens not only helps to clear the way but also enhances the visibility of the emergency vehicle, ensuring that it receives the necessary right-of-way from other drivers. This distinction between a hot response and other types of responses, such as those without lights and sirens, is crucial for emergency medical dispatchers to understand, as it influences response protocols and the urgency of the situation.