Arlington Ambulance Dispatch

[dmurphy78]

I am hearing and seeing Arlington Fire department’s ambulance going to calls but I never hear it dispatched with the normal fire department trucks. I thought it would be dispatched on 453.90000 with the other units going to the same calls. I also checked the Arlington channels in the database but haven’t found them yet.

It’s not being dispatched on the Empress or Mobile Life Support channels on the One Voice network that I have heard either.

Is there another department operating the Arlington ambulance? And if so how are they dispatched?

This is in Dutchess County. And I’m using a SDS100 with the updated database.

 

[62Truck]

The ambulance isn't staffed 24/7 only when needed, and its staffed by Arlington Professional Firefighters.

Its usually only in-service for special details like the recent Arlington Street Fair. There was a shooting call that happened during the fair so the Ambulance and Medic responded under a company assist.

Other times it might be "staffed" is when they do a 10-35 and its the only piece available.

 

[dmurphy78]

The ambulance isn't staffed 24/7 only when needed, and its staffed by Arlington Professional Firefighters.

Its usually only in-service for special details like the recent Arlington Street Fair. There was a shooting call that happened during the fair so the Ambulance and Medic responded under a company assist.

Other times it might be "staffed" is when they do a 10-35 and its the only piece available.

Yes. I get that it is normally not used except for special training and standby events. This is different. The ambulance is going to regular medical calls now. It’s not every day but it is a lot. At least 3 times a week. It is not being dispatched by Dutchess 911. When they say they are responding the dispatcher is usually not expecting it so someone else must be dispatching them to calls.

 

[seagravebuff60]

I don't really pay attention to Dutchess alot. Have you tried listening to any of the local Arlington UHF Channels?

 

[62Truck]

Yes. I get that it is normally not used except for special training and standby events. This is different. The ambulance is going to regular medical calls now. It’s not every day but it is a lot. At least 3 times a week. It is not being dispatched by Dutchess 911. When they say they are responding the dispatcher is usually not expecting it so someone else must be dispatching them to calls.

When this happens are you hearing "no commercial units available"? Sounds to me that they might be responding under a company assist if no commercial EMS is available for transport, so the engine doesn't get stuck on scene waiting for a transport unit.

I heard this the other day for the Cherry Hill Shooting, "73 and 86 in-service responding to the shooting" and this was on the Repeater 1 channel.

I wouldn't stress trying to figure out who is dispatching the ambulance because it's not being dispatched directly. The agency is already being dispatched to the call with a paramedic engine and if they have enough staffing for the ambulance, they will simply just call out responding as an additional resource.

 

[nozzlenut83]

You are not missing anything. The ambulance, 32-73 has been staffed more often lately trying to fill in gaps in commercial ambulance coverage. When it is being used the ambulance will be stationed at Headquarters and staffed as an ALS/Paramedic unit. It is kept "Off Shift" in the DC 911 CAD and once an EMS call is dispatched 32-73 & 86 will call out responding and cancel the dispatched commercial ambulance (if there is one). After the call is terminated 32-73 & 86 go back "Off Shift". You will never hear it get dispatched by DC 911 or anyone else. It's not only "Off Shift" in the CAD but it does not appear on any run cards. After the staffing period expires the ambulance is returned to its normal storage bay at Station 5.

It is only staffed during severe staffing shortages with the commercial ambulance companies and only at the discretion of the Chief of Department. Regular on duty members do not staff the ambulance, it must be staffed by extra personnel.

This is in addition to being used by the Tactical EMS team and being staffed for select stand by events.

Unfortunately, there is no secret dispatch center sending the ambulance out on calls. That sounds kind of cool though.

 

[dmurphy78]

I’m not sure this is accurate. I’m pretty sure the ambulance is outside at the Red Oak Mills mechanic shop.

Maybe I’ll email them and see what the real deal is.

 

[62Truck]

I’m not sure this is accurate.

I'm pretty sure @nozzlenut83 knows what he's talking about, any anything from him would pretty accurate.

 

[nozzlenut83]

I guarantee that what I said is accurate. Feel free to verify any way you would like. Please share Chief Steenbergh's answer should you receive one.

You are correct about the ambulance being stored outside of the Shop at Station 3. Up until about a week and a half ago when 32-57 was removed from service, freeing up some bay space for the ambulance which has moved from a reserve status to more of a front line use. Until a new apparatus is acquired for 32-57 the ambulance will be stored in the first bay at Station 5 (Its original home for the previous 30 years) and operate out of the 32-9/32-89 bay at HQ when in service.