Arapahoe and Douglas counties CO – Parker Fire District will become the first partner in the new “MetCom” Dispatch Authority effective January 1, 2008. Parker Fire’s board of directors approved the partnership at a meeting June 19 after South Metro’s board approved the creation of the Authority earlier this month. The Authority will share assets, expenses and oversight of the center, which opened in January of 2006 in South Metro Fire Rescue’s administrative building. Since then it has dispatched emergency medical and fire calls for South Metro. “With Parker as our first partner, MetCom can now realize its founding vision of becoming a regional Fire/EMS communications center. This is a great accomplishment and clearly demonstrates the trust that Parker Fire has in MetCom and its staff,” according to Paul Smith, the center’s director.
“South Metro’s staff and taxpayers made a huge investment in MetCom in the belief we could improve dispatch services and, in time, attract partners to help share costs,” says South Metro Fire Chief Mike Dell’Orfano. “Now we can share the benefits of that investment with a great neighboring agency, Parker Fire,” adds Dell’Orfano. Since opening MetCom has shown consistent improvement in decreasing the time it takes to dispatch emergency crews. This is done with a combination of state-of-the art equipment as well as an experienced staff. Some Parker units have already been equipped with hardware that allows MetCom to track their movements. By knowing the up-to-the-moment location of ambulances and fire units, MetCom is able to dispatch the closest available resource, regardless of jurisdictional lines. “Bottom line, that means paramedics and firefighters can get to emergencies faster,” says Smith.
Parker Fire Chief Dan Qualman adds “We look forward to the partnership with South Metro Fire Rescue in the new Authority. The decision to join this endeavor was made based on what we believe is in the best interest of those we serve. The increased capability of closest unit response, and in-vehicle response routing, coupled with quick dispatch processing helps us give our community “best in class” service.”
Built at a cost of over $3-point-5 million dollars, MetCom uses the latest hardware and software, plus a cadre of seasoned personnel. Dispatchers are also trained to give medical instructions over the phone at the same time emergency crews are sent, further improving patients’ chances for a positive outcome.
For more information, contact Paul Smith at 720.488.7294. You can also visit the following websites for additional information: www.southmetro.org; www.parkerfire.org; or www.metcom911.org.
“South Metro’s staff and taxpayers made a huge investment in MetCom in the belief we could improve dispatch services and, in time, attract partners to help share costs,” says South Metro Fire Chief Mike Dell’Orfano. “Now we can share the benefits of that investment with a great neighboring agency, Parker Fire,” adds Dell’Orfano. Since opening MetCom has shown consistent improvement in decreasing the time it takes to dispatch emergency crews. This is done with a combination of state-of-the art equipment as well as an experienced staff. Some Parker units have already been equipped with hardware that allows MetCom to track their movements. By knowing the up-to-the-moment location of ambulances and fire units, MetCom is able to dispatch the closest available resource, regardless of jurisdictional lines. “Bottom line, that means paramedics and firefighters can get to emergencies faster,” says Smith.
Parker Fire Chief Dan Qualman adds “We look forward to the partnership with South Metro Fire Rescue in the new Authority. The decision to join this endeavor was made based on what we believe is in the best interest of those we serve. The increased capability of closest unit response, and in-vehicle response routing, coupled with quick dispatch processing helps us give our community “best in class” service.”
Built at a cost of over $3-point-5 million dollars, MetCom uses the latest hardware and software, plus a cadre of seasoned personnel. Dispatchers are also trained to give medical instructions over the phone at the same time emergency crews are sent, further improving patients’ chances for a positive outcome.
For more information, contact Paul Smith at 720.488.7294. You can also visit the following websites for additional information: www.southmetro.org; www.parkerfire.org; or www.metcom911.org.
