Fairfax Fire/Rescue EMS response types

[N4VKF]

Does anyone have a definitive explanation of Fairfax County's EMS response codes?

EMS Level 1,2,3

 

[vavolff]

Does anyone have a definitive explanation of Fairfax County's EMS response codes?

EMS Level 1,2,3

I believe this would be EMS priority levels. Possibly with 1 which is lowest priority, 2 being intermediate, and 3 being high priority. Chesapeake Fire is using something similar, they have Alpha to Echo with Echo being high priority/someone is literally dying. It helps with unit assignments and givin the responding crews an initial heads up. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong lol

 

[N4VKF]

I believe this would be EMS priority levels. Possibly with 1 which is lowest priority, 2 being intermediate, and 3 being high priority. Chesapeake Fire is using something similar, they have Alpha to Echo with Echo being high priority/someone is literally dying. It helps with unit assignments and givin the responding crews an initial heads up. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong lol

Yes I get that but I'm looking for actual definitions.

 

[maus92]

Not sure if the same scaling system is used in VA, but in MD:

Priority 1 — Critically ill or injured person requiring immediate attention; unstable patients with potentially life-threatening injury or illness.

Priority 2 — Less serious condition, requiring emergency medical attention but not immediately endangering the patient’s life.

Priority 3 — Non-emergent condition, requiring medical attention but not on an emergency basis.

Priority 4 — Does not require medical attention (aka dead)

 

[vavolff]

@N4VKF is this what you are looking for? The proper name is Medical Priority Dispatch System, and the levels are:

Alpha-Non medical emergency, like a lift assist or maybe doing a BP check. Some departments also dispatch expected death runs as an alpha.
Bravo-BLS Level medicals, like broken limbs, most illnesses, headaches with severe symptoms, etc.
Charlie-A lower priority ALS call, kinda on the fence between BLS/ALS
Delta-Legit ALS runs like chest pain, difficulty breathing, allergic reactions, moderate bleeding, etc.
Echo-Highest priority/injuries not conducive to life. Cardiac Arrest, drowning, extreme breathing, etc.

Here's the recommended vehicle response:

Alpha-Cold Response BLS
Bravo-Hot Response BLS
Charlie-Cold Response ALS
Delta-Hot Response ALS
Echo-Hot Response ALS with additional responders.

All of this info is based on the caller/reporting party information and the best fitting response is applied to the dispatch/run ticket. I probably should have laid this all out in my first comment, my apologies. I hope this answers to what you seek. Here's a link to more on MPDS.

 

[vavolff]

Not sure if the same scaling system is used in VA, but in MD:

Priority 1 — Critically ill or injured person requiring immediate attention; unstable patients with potentially life-threatening injury or illness.

Priority 2 — Less serious condition, requiring emergency medical attention but not immediately endangering the patient’s life.

Priority 3 — Non-emergent condition, requiring medical attention but not on an emergency basis.

Priority 4 — Does not require medical attention (aka dead)

We're pretty similar here in VA, but sometimes that can be different depending on the agency. Virginia Beach basically operates on what you have here!

 

[RaleighGuy]

Does anyone have a definitive explanation of Fairfax County's EMS response codes?

EMS Level 1,2,3

Have you checked the Wiki?

Fairfax County (VA) - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

Sounds like you might be talking about response conditions or RIT levels;

Response Conditions​

• Condition 1- Normal operations are considered Condition 1.
• Condition 2- Condition 1 is downgraded to Condition II during an extended period of increased incident response. While in Condition 2, initial response assignments are reduced to conserve the availability of units.
• Condition 3- Condition 1 or 2 is downgraded to Condition 3 when greater than 50% of units are either committed to incidents or out of service. While in Condition 3, responses will be reduced dramatically to conserve resources.

• RIT Level 1 - 1 Engine, 1 Truck or Rescue, 1 Medic Unit, another Safety Officer
• RIT Level 2 - 1 Engine, 1 Truck, 1 Rescue, 1 Medic Unit, 1 BC
• RIT Level 3 (Collapse Rescue Taskforce) - 2 Rescues or Collapse Rescue Units

 

[TJX400]

I think the OP is asking if there is a difference in response or assignment when the WestNet Evelyn voice reads "EMS level 1" v. "EMS level 2" v. "EMS level 3".

I agree with some of the above that it's related to priority. I can't speak to the specific definitions to each, but it's my assumption it's pretty close to priority 1/2/3.

The conditions and RIT levels are entirely different in this circumstance.

 

[N4VKF]

Not sure if the same scaling system is used in VA, but in MD:

Priority 1 — Critically ill or injured person requiring immediate attention; unstable patients with potentially life-threatening injury or illness.

Priority 2 — Less serious condition, requiring emergency medical attention but not immediately endangering the patient’s life.

Priority 3 — Non-emergent condition, requiring medical attention but not on an emergency basis.

Priority 4 — Does not require medical attention (aka dead)

They maybe using similar definitions.

 

[N4VKF]

Have you checked the Wiki?

Fairfax County (VA) - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

Sounds like you might be talking about response conditions or RIT levels;

Response Conditions​

• Condition 1- Normal operations are considered Condition 1.
• Condition 2- Condition 1 is downgraded to Condition II during an extended period of increased incident response. While in Condition 2, initial response assignments are reduced to conserve the availability of units.
• Condition 3- Condition 1 or 2 is downgraded to Condition 3 when greater than 50% of units are either committed to incidents or out of service. While in Condition 3, responses will be reduced dramatically to conserve resources.

• RIT Level 1 - 1 Engine, 1 Truck or Rescue, 1 Medic Unit, another Safety Officer
• RIT Level 2 - 1 Engine, 1 Truck, 1 Rescue, 1 Medic Unit, 1 BC
• RIT Level 3 (Collapse Rescue Taskforce) - 2 Rescues or Collapse Rescue Units

Yes, not related to rit or pscc dispatch conditions.

 

[N4VKF]

@N4VKF is this what you are looking for? The proper name is Medical Priority Dispatch System, and the levels are:

Alpha-Non medical emergency, like a lift assist or maybe doing a BP check. Some departments also dispatch expected death runs as an alpha.
Bravo-BLS Level medicals, like broken limbs, most illnesses, headaches with severe symptoms, etc.
Charlie-A lower priority ALS call, kinda on the fence between BLS/ALS
Delta-Legit ALS runs like chest pain, difficulty breathing, allergic reactions, moderate bleeding, etc.
Echo-Highest priority/injuries not conducive to life. Cardiac Arrest, drowning, extreme breathing, etc.

Here's the recommended vehicle response:

Alpha-Cold Response BLS
Bravo-Hot Response BLS
Charlie-Cold Response ALS
Delta-Hot Response ALS
Echo-Hot Response ALS with additional responders.

All of this info is based on the caller/reporting party information and the best fitting response is applied to the dispatch/run ticket. I probably should have laid this all out in my first comment, my apologies. I hope this answers to what you seek. Here's a link to more on MPDS.

I know Fairfax does not use mpds but a Fairfax only version of apco emergency dispatch protocols.

 

[vavolff]

Gotcha! That's about all I got, just an MPDS shot in the dark lol.

 

[jpb]

I think the OP is asking if there is a difference in response or assignment when the WestNet Evelyn voice reads "EMS level 1" v. "EMS level 2" v. "EMS level 3".

I agree with some of the above that it's related to priority. I can't speak to the specific definitions to each, but it's my assumption it's pretty close to priority 1/2/3.

The conditions and RIT levels are entirely different in this circumstance.

@TJX400’s observations are correct. Respectfully to those “out of area” folks who have offered their guesses, Fairfax created their own EMS response levels with associated unit response plans. It is not related to the MPDS Alpha through Echo responses, nor is it related to Maryland’s Priority 1-4. They evolved from actual call types to simply “ALS Emergency” and “BLS Emergency”, to the current EMS Level 1 through 3.

 

[vavolff]

Awesome, thanks for clearing that up!

 

[N4VKF]

Any idea what "Code 60" is on Fire Communications? I'm guessing, due to the traffic i heard, It has something to do with decon.

 

[GB1439]

Any idea what "Code 60" is on Fire Communications? I'm guessing, due to the traffic i heard, It has something to do with decon.

The (very) outdated guide I have lists 60 codes as related to fires involving electrical or mechanical equipment but I image it's changed given the context.

 

[N4VKF]

As I listen more to Fairfax and compare, the radio traffic, to what I hear in my own county. I also re-read the comments here. I think they new ems response levels are as follows:

EMS Level 1 - Emergency Response - Life threatening
EMS Level 2 - Emergency Response - Non-Life threatening
EMS Level 3 - Non-Emergency Response - Non-Life threatening

Other jurisdictions have changed policies on emergency response in an effort to change the metrics on apparatus accidents and vehicle wear.
Just my thought unless someone has an official document.

 

[johnrockie]

EMS Level 1 (Alpha)

• One – Closest Advanced Life Support (ALS)-staffed suppression unit
• One – Closest medic unit
• Minimum of six personnel required (two of whom are ALS)

EMS Level 2 (Bravo)

• One – Closest ALS-staffed suppression unit
• One – Closest medic unit or ambulance
• Minimum of six personnel required (one of whom is ALS)

EMS Level 3 (Charlie)

• One – Ambulance within six minutes of the incident (If not available, the closest ambulance or medic unit)
• One – Closest ALS-staffed suppression unit
• Minimum of six personnel required (ALS is preferred, but not required)

 

[N4VKF]

EMS Level 1 (Alpha)

• One – Closest Advanced Life Support (ALS)-staffed suppression unit
• One – Closest medic unit
• Minimum of six personnel required (two of whom are ALS)

EMS Level 2 (Bravo)

• One – Closest ALS-staffed suppression unit
• One – Closest medic unit or ambulance
• Minimum of six personnel required (one of whom is ALS)

EMS Level 3 (Charlie)

• One – Ambulance within six minutes of the incident (If not available, the closest ambulance or medic unit)
• One – Closest ALS-staffed suppression unit
• Minimum of six personnel required (ALS is preferred, but not required)

Thank you for that reply.

 

[N4VKF]

Does anyone know what stations the ALS Ems provider units are assigned to?