Pinellas County, FL Governments Feuding Over EMS Dispatch Policy

[marcp90]

Pinellas County FL

"Not every 911 call means an adrenaline-charged dash through red lights to save lives. Sometimes the "emergency" is merely someone with constipation, a sore elbow or hiccups that won't stop."

Pinellas County governments feuding over EMS dispatch policy | TBO.com

[revclstoner]

Here in Beaumont, Texas calls are prioritized.

[JoeyC]

I guess the areas opposed to this common sense approach have an endless cash flow.

[szron]

Here in WA they use Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta responses based on severity of the call.

Back in MI I remember Westland FD was dispatched without assigned priority. It essentially meant that all calls were "lights and sirens" but the actual "engagement in the response" was up to responder's discretion.

What I mean is that the responders acted differently while on the way to a Injury MVA and to a grandma having constipation.

Though if I remember correctly there was time from the tone-out to calling "On the air" (en-route) and time from calling "On the air" to "Arrived" that if it went over that set time a additional report had to be made (indicating traffic, railroad tracks, etc).

//additionally Engines weren't usually dispatched for medicals, only for very serious calls or per Ambulance request for manpower.

[dupree617]

Originally Posted by revclstoner

Here in Beaumont, Texas calls are prioritized.

I didn't realize that there were so many members in my own area. It's really good to see you around. Cheers.

Mike Dupree

[revclstoner]

Originally Posted by dupree617

I didn't realize that there were so many members in my own area. It's really good to see you around. Cheers.

Mike Dupree

Likewise! Do you monitor the Jefferson County Regional Radio System?

[iceman977th]

Up here, 95% of calls are ran hot, unless another agency (law or fire) is on scene and requests code 1 or code 2 response. Occasionally they will divert trucks to more serious calls if the need arises and other trucks are available and are close to the original call, it all depends. Then again I live in a small county, EMS only has three stations and 4 trucks on duty most of the time.

[revclstoner]

Originally Posted by iceman977th

Up here, 95% of calls are ran hot, unless another agency (law or fire) is on scene and requests code 1 or code 2 response. Occasionally they will divert trucks to more serious calls if the need arises and other trucks are available and are close to the original call, it all depends. Then again I live in a small county, EMS only has three stations and 4 trucks on duty most of the time.

Another thing I noticed about Beaumont FD is that usually when engines are dispatched to medical calls, there are 3 firefighters/EMTs on board. Some stations have "rescue" units, which are SUVs, when there is not enough manpower to run an engine.

[dupree617]

Originally Posted by revclstoner

Likewise! Do you monitor the Jefferson County Regional Radio System?

All of the time. Or at lease when I'm off. I've been collecting radio ID's of said system for the last few months even. Just to get an even better understanding of it. I'm the main person submitting information for the Hardin County part of the system. We may want to take this to a PM later.

If you have any questions just PM me. I will be glad to try and answer them. Note: I not submit all information that I have to Radio Reference.

Thanks,

Mike Dupree

[revclstoner]

Originally Posted by dupree617

All of the time. Or at lease when I'm off. I've been collecting radio ID's of said system for the last few months even. Just to get an even better understanding of it. I'm the main person submitting information for the Hardin County part of the system. We may want to take this to a PM later.

If you have any questions just PM me. I will be glad to try and answer them. Note: I not submit all information that I have to Radio Reference.

Thanks,

Mike Dupree

Will do! Have a good day, sir!