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Comprehensive Assessment of Emergency Medical Services 65 <br /> DRAFT REPORT and 911/Communications Center Operations Study <br /> Figure 37 <br /> Medical Dispatch Response Codes <br /> Response Code Condition Identified Agency/Unit Dispatched Response Status <br /> ALPHA Non-life threatening, Ambulance only Non-Emergency <br /> low priority assessed <br /> Non-life threatening, <br /> BRAVO Ambulance only Emergency <br /> but more serious <br /> First Responders Emergency <br /> CHARLIE Potentially life threatening <br /> Ambulance Non-Emergency* <br /> DELTA Life threatening All Units Emergency <br /> All Units; including <br /> ECHO Circling the drain Emergency <br /> Law Enforcement <br /> Note the asterisk (*) next to "Non-Emergency" in the Response Status column in the CHARLIE row. In a <br /> potentially life threatening emergency, First Responders (typically the closest Fire Department) will be <br /> dispatched to respond with lights & siren; i.e. emergency status; while the ambulance (Medic Unit) will <br /> be dispatched at the same time, however, in non-emergency status...initially. The assumption being <br /> that First Responders, assumedly first on the scene, will be able to assess and confirm (or not) the level <br /> of severity of the patient's condition. If First Responders in fact confirm the condition to be life <br /> threatening, the Medic Unit will (typically) immediately upgrade to emergency status and respond <br /> accordingly. Should the condition be determined to not in fact be life threatening,the Medic Unit will, in <br /> most cases, continue on to the scene to confirm the condition of the patient and if necessary provide <br /> transportation to a medical facility. <br /> Note Regarding the Communications Process <br /> The above narrative examples, explanation of Call Codes, etc. focus on medical emergencies and EMS <br /> response; albeit the stated focus of this study. Of course Communications Center personnel must also <br /> deal with Fire and Law Enforcement emergencies on a daily basis as well. Subsequently, the Appendix <br /> includes process maps outlining examples of the call processing, dispatch, and ongoing communications <br /> activities that will typically occur not only with EMS, but with Fire and Law Enforcement as well. <br /> Communications Center Staff <br /> The individuals who occupy the workstations or "consoles" in the County's Communications Center are <br /> classified as "Telecommunicators". At present there is one (1) Shift Supervisor (Lieutenant), one (1) <br /> Lead Telecommunicator/Assistant Shift Supervisor(Sergeant), one (1) Communications Training Officer, <br /> and two (2)Telecommunicators assigned to each shift. <br /> While the designated Supervisors will carry additional responsibilities, they are expected to handle them <br /> in addition to receiving, dispatching and monitoring 911 emergency and administrative calls received as <br /> the call volume dictates. <br /> In this and similar County facilities, the principal activities occurring on the call center floor are those <br /> directly involved with the processing of calls received. In this regard, while the position title <br /> "Telecommunicator" is totally appropriate,the functional responsibilities of the position may vary <br /> somewhat between call-taking and dispatching,depending on the call volume occurring or whether the <br /> Communications Center is working"short". <br /> Solutions for Local Government,Inc. 63 <br />