What must be determined in order to dispatch the proper responders?

Determining the type of incident is crucial for dispatching the appropriate responders because each type of situation—such as fire, medical emergency, or law enforcement issue—requires different resources and expertise. For instance, a medical emergency would necessitate the dispatch of an ambulance and possibly paramedics, whereas a structure fire would call for fire trucks and firefighters trained to handle such situations. Understanding the specific nature of the incident allows the dispatcher to tailor the response effectively, ensuring that the right personnel with the right tools arrive on the scene promptly.

While the other factors like location, severity, and time are important for providing context and managing the response, they do not dictate the responders required. The primary consideration is identifying the incident type to ensure that those dispatched can address the needs of the situation appropriately.