Anyone know what the run codes some fire dispatches are using. ( Huber Heights and WPAFB)It is something like 1delta24 house fire or 4baker21 auto accident. This usually comes after the unit assigned list and address. Sounds like some new Homeland Security thing.
new dispatch codes
- Thread starter k8ow
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Definately not anything from Homeland Security, they are pushing for plain english amongst all public safety groups.
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It sounds like the NAEMD dispatch codes. It uses situational cirumstances to determine a response type and level to give responders a better idea of what's going on. A responder guidebook is available to give an idea of what each code means.
The Huber Heights dispatch center started using the Priority Dispatch System (ProQA) several months ago for Fire and EMS Dispatching. DualReverse is correct in that the responders have a flip book that they can look up the code and see the pre-arrival instructions that the dispatcher used on that call. Since the start of the system the guys hate it. Most of the time the information is incorrect and rather then use the system as designed Huber has twisted it around and added things that don't make any sense. One of the goals of implementing this system was to reduce the number of Medic/Engine calls by including a 3rd person on the medic for "X-Ray" calls and dropping the Engine. In reality what has happened is that the 3rd person is rarely needed and it ends up taking an engine out of service for the duration of that medic call, leaving some of the city without Fire protection.
I do believe in pre-arrival instructions but so far the line people have seen no benefit in knowing that the call is a 1-Delta-2 or whatever, as opposed to Chest Pain, Trouble breathing etc. The line people don't use the book to look the call up and hate the entire system. The Dispatchers are less then thrilled also. The system was really designed to support a dual or multi-tiered response plan (First responder, BLS, ALS units) Huber Heights sends an ALS unit on every dispatch from a cut finger to a cardiac arrest because that is how the system is structured. So including the Protocol “Code” does little for the field providers
Oh well enough of my rant. Here is a link that shows some of the EMS codes and what Protocol they support
http://www.prioritydispatch.net/support/pdf/UKE_v11.3_Std_to_Omega_Equivalence_Worksheet.pdf
I didn't see anything for fire but it may be on the site if you dig a little.
I do believe in pre-arrival instructions but so far the line people have seen no benefit in knowing that the call is a 1-Delta-2 or whatever, as opposed to Chest Pain, Trouble breathing etc. The line people don't use the book to look the call up and hate the entire system. The Dispatchers are less then thrilled also. The system was really designed to support a dual or multi-tiered response plan (First responder, BLS, ALS units) Huber Heights sends an ALS unit on every dispatch from a cut finger to a cardiac arrest because that is how the system is structured. So including the Protocol “Code” does little for the field providers
Oh well enough of my rant. Here is a link that shows some of the EMS codes and what Protocol they support
http://www.prioritydispatch.net/support/pdf/UKE_v11.3_Std_to_Omega_Equivalence_Worksheet.pdf
I didn't see anything for fire but it may be on the site if you dig a little.
FPO703
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I have a copy of that flip book someplace around here. It's a few years old. So, I don't know if anything has been updated/changed.
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Fletch,
I take it you're not happy...Is it ProQA you dislike, or NAEMD in its entirety?
I take it you're not happy...Is it ProQA you dislike, or NAEMD in its entirety?
DualReverse said:
Nether really. I am a big believer in pre-arrival instructions. In fact I taught Clawson’s system for 5 years in the early 90’s. I think they contribute to saving lives in the public safety chain of events.
What I, and many involved have disagreed with is the including of the dispatch code, such as 1 Charley 1, in the initial dispatch. It does little to change what is brought into the house on arrival. It’s usually disregarded radio traffic so why include it in the dispatch?
Abdominal pain gets the first in bag and monitor just like any other medical call would. The only thing that makes a real big difference is whether it is an adult or child. That’s why it’s called Pre-Arrival instructions.
Delaware County just north of Columbus has been using ProQA for awhile with supposed success and they don’t relate the protocol codes to the EMS units.
If there is something unusual about the call put it on the printed dispatch sheet or advise the companies as they go in route. Updating the companies with major changes in patient condition during the pre-arrival instructions is good too.
Priority Dispatching is only as good as the training, evaluation, and retraining that is preformed at the dispatcher level. In this case the dispatchers never really “bought into the system” It was forced on them without any input from them. So what that means to the field providers is the dispatch codes are often incorrect. When this happens enough the field providers don’t believe in the system either.
That’s what’s happened at Huber Heights. The system was pushed down the dispatches throats. The field providers were only informed of the implantation 1 week before it started with minimal training on what the system does or how the books work. The administration has been deaf to any suggestions on how to improve the system from not only the dispatchers but the field providers.
One of the biggest concerns by all the line personnel was the departments’ addition of X-Ray calls to the ProQA protocol. An x-ray call requires a third person to get on the Medic for that call. These are supposedly call types we used to send an Engine on for additional manpower. This has been a real flop because a very high percentage of time that 3rd person is not needed for transport, yet this reduces Fire apparatus available to respond during the time the medic is on that call (about 1.5 hours). At least when an Engine accompanied the Medic, if a third wasn’t needed he went back with the pump keeping it in service.
Again, I have nothing against ProQA or NAEMD they are fine groups with excellent programs that work. As anything in life planning and implementation are everything.
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