Burke County Emergency Services
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Using
Computer Aided Dispatch |
Communications
Coordinator: Lisa Propst, EMD
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On April 6th 2004, Burke County Emergency
Services implemented Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) to further enhance the 911
call taking process.
CAD is a multi agency system linking the Emergency
Operations Center (EOC) to the Burke County Sheriff’s Department, Morganton Department
of Public Safety, and to the Valdese Police Department.
The utilization of shared data and pertinent
incident information provided by CAD not only strengthens working relationships
among the various public safety agencies, but also serves to improve scene
security and safety for response team members and for the public.
Whenever an emergency call is received, CAD
simultaneously extracts information from the 911 database thereby giving the
call taker necessary specifics used in incident dispatch.
An extremely important part of CAD is the
Geographical Information System (GIS) mapping coupled with computerized
resource management which operates to vastly increase the speed and efficiency
of documentation, dispatch, and incident disposition.
No technological upgrade however, can replace the
vital role of the individual calling 911.
Being an eye witness to a life threatening emergency
can be a horrifying ordeal; requesting medical assistance however, does not
have to be a frightful experience.
Calling 911 is not an act we tend to prepare for,
much less contemplate; but it is beneficial to understand the series of
questions the telecommunicator is duty bound to ask. Burke County is fortunate
in that its’ enhanced 911 service operates using the Emergency Medical Dispatch
(EMD) system.
Upon receiving a 911 call, a certified EMD will
gather information, prioritize the situation, and furthermore dispatch the
appropriate units.
The EMD will initially ask the caller to indicate
the exact location of the sick or injured subject needing assistance.
A numerical street address, cross street, and/or any
identifying landmarks the caller can provide benefits the EMD and responding
units in their quest to accurately pinpoint the location. The caller will then
be instructed to give their phone number.
Although under normal calling conditions, the EMD
has immediate access to the caller’s number as it is displayed on the 911
screen; such information though has to be confirmed as being correct. And with
the ever increasing popularity of wireless communication, it is of utmost
importance that a caller identify the number they are calling from.
The “Four Commandments” of EMD as defined by the
Medical Priority dispatch system include:
1)
Identifying a chief complaint or incident type
2)
Ascertaining the patient’s approximate age
3)
Determining the patient’s status of consciousness,
and
4)
Confirming the patient’s breathing status.
The caller’s answers to the initial questions prompt
the EMD to select one of 33 cards identifying various chief complaints ranging
from abdominal pain to unknown problems. Contained on the chief complaint card
is another series of questions aimed at ascertaining the seriousness of the
call.
The EMD gathered information warrants a code
assignment, thus determining the need for emergency or routine response.
Proper call dispatch relies heavily upon the
caller’s patience and knowledge concerning the patient.
It is the EMD’s job to ask
the necessary questions, and likewise the caller’s obligation to be as cooperative
and helpful as possible.
Although emotions may tend to dominate a particular
situation, seconds count in saving lives; hence a hysterical caller can delay
the arrival of emergency personnel.
Emergency Medical Dispatch is also aimed at delivering
pre-arrival life saving instructions to the caller.
The EMD is trained in giving the caller directives
on administering CPR, aiding a choking victim, or assisting with childbirth.
It is important to note that the effectiveness of
such instructions depends largely on the caller’s willingness and patience to
work with the EMD in providing proper patient care. Oftentimes, given
appropriate pre-arrival instructions, a non-medically trained individual can
save the life of another.
24 hours a day, 7 days a week; life saving help is
only a three digit phone call away.