Emergency Dispatch Protocol
In its infancy, the emergency dispatch system had no rules and regulations. Now, there is not only a standardized response to emergencies, but a set of protocols to improve the way dispatchers communicate with callers.
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History
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On Friday, Jan. 12, 1968, 9-1-1 was announced as a universal emergency number at a press conference in Washington, D.C. It wasn't until 1972, however, that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recommended that 9-1-1 be implemented nationwide, laying the groundwork for a full-scale emergency dispatch service.
Function
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The goal of a universal emergency number was to facilitate prompt deployment of emergency services. It wasn't until the passing of the Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act in 1999, however, that the communications infrastructure became more seamless for emergency responders. Since that time, carriers and public safety entities continue to upgrade the 9-1-1 network on a regular basis.
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Effects
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The trickle down effect of the designated 9-1-1 system was that there were no standard protocols for dispatchers to handle emergencies. This changed in 1978, when 29 sets of cards were published, listing caller complaints (such as abdominal pain, burns, cardiac arrest, etc.) or an incident (drowning, traffic accident, etc.). The core card contained three color-coded areas: key questions, pre-arrival instructions for responders and dispatch priorities.
Benefits
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Beyond the early protocols, The National Academies of Emergency Dispatch (NAED) were created to develop and maintain dispatch protocols and curriculum in response to emergency calls for help. It is comprised of three allied academies for medical, fire and police dispatching.
Prevention/Solution
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The NAED writes and updates protocols on everything from cardiopulmonary resuscitation and stroke diagnosis to, Accelerator Stuck and Can't Stop Vehicle protocol. Dispatchers are trained to ask certain questions and give instructions to callers, which may begin life-saving treatment. In turn, this determines appropriate response by emergency services.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit call 911 image by Empath from Fotolia.com
