In which of the following situations does a legal duty to act clearly exist?

• A. The EMT witnesses a vehicle crash while off duty.
• B. A call is received 15 minutes prior to shift change.
• C. The EMT hears of a cardiac arrest after his or her shift ends.
• D. A bystander encounters a victim who is not breathing.

Answer: (B)

A legal duty to act in EMS comes from being on duty and dispatched to an emergency. When an EMT is on duty and receives a call, they are the designated responder and are expected to provide care, so the obligation to act is clear and immediate—even if it’s near the end of a shift. Off-duty status, hearing about an emergency after a shift ends, or a bystander with no professional relationship generally does not create that mandatory responsibility. Therefore, the situation that clearly establishes a duty to act is when the EMT is on duty and a call is received.