Emergency Medical Dispatch/Priority Dispatch

Emergency Medical Dispatch use the National Academy of Emergency Dispatch standards.

While emergency vehicles were in route, “pre-arrival” instructions had been delivered to 9-1-1 callers over the phone at the Sunstar Communications Center. Now, job function shifts to the 9-1-1 call taker in the 9-1-1 center. It makes more sense to shift that responsibility to the person who initially answers the call for medical assistance.

In conjunction with transferring “pre-arrival” instructions to the 9-1-1 center, we’re in the process of implementing a new system of priority dispatch.

Since 1990, Pinellas County has always dispatched units immediately, then downgraded them as more information came to the dispatch center. Some of the disadvantages with that system include:

• Emergency units needlessly dispatched
• Needless lights and sirens in traffic (for minor medical situations)
• Units in service when higher priority calls are received

But now a newer, simpler dispatch system will match the emergency with the proper response:

“E” (Echo) Response

• Life Threatening Emergency—patient not breathing (choking, hanging, drowning)
  
• ALS Fire Department First Responder—lights and siren
  
• ALS Ambulance—lights and siren
  
• Basic Life Support Fire Unit responds with lights and siren at fire department’s discretion

“D” (Delta) Response

• Life Threatening Emergency—Chest pain, difficulty breathing, unconsciousness, seizures, dangerous bleeding
  
• ALS Fire Department First Responder—lights and siren
  
• ALS Ambulance—lights and siren
  
• Basic Life Support Fire Unit responds with lights and siren if closest ALS first responder is unavailable*

“C” (Charlie) Response

• Potentially Life Threatening Emergency—Difficulty breathing, non-responsive, stroke, substance overdose, diabetic problems, serious injury
  
• ALS Fire Department First Responder—lights and siren
  ALS Ambulance—lights and siren
  
• Basic Life Support fire unit responds with lights and siren if first/second closest ALS first responder is unavailable**

“B” (Bravo) Response

• Unknown Situation, Serious bleeding/injury, pregnancy, psychiatric problems
  
• ALS Fire Department First Responder—lights and siren
  
• ALS Ambulance—lights and siren

“A” (Alpha) Response - High

• Non-life threatening situation with high potential for transport
  
• ALS ambulance—non-emergency

“A” (Alpha) Response - Low

• Non-life threatening situation with low potential for transport
  
• ALS Fire Department First Responder—non-emergency

*ALS fire unit dispatched may be second closest, if nearer units are unavailable.
**ALS fire unit dispatched may be third closest, if nearer units are unavailable.

Any of these response modes may be upgraded or downgraded as new information is received.

By implementing an upgraded system of priority dispatch, unnecessary ambulance and fire/rescue responses can be cut by 10% each and will directly reduce costs associated with fuel and vehicle maintenance.  Crews will be where they are needed the most for a superior EMS response with no increase in apparatus or personnel. 

Any life-threatening or otherwise serious medical emergencies will still get a lights-and-siren, emergency response from both the fire department and Sunstar.  Lesser emergencies would get a less intense response.