North County Fire

[NewSDScanner]

I have a question. North Comm Fire Dispatch transmissions are always very brief since they have computers and printouts for their calls. However, how do they receive additional information? Only by computer? For example, a typical dispatch sounds like this:

San Marcos, Tac 1 India, Unconscious Person, Engine 2315 & Medic 2335 respond to 555 San Marcos Blvd.

But I know from experience that dispatchers ask the caller things like is the person male or female, how old are they, do they have previous conditions, etc... They relay this to the paramedics. How do they give them this additional info? Is it only via their computers or is there another channel for that? I noticed that they DO NOT do this over the Tac or Command channels. Those channels seem to be used for communication once the paramedics and firefighters are already on scene. Thanks.

 

[MtnBiker2005]

Read the Communications Center page.

North County Dispatch JPA
http://www.ncdjpa.org
http://www.ncdjpa.org/Communications_Center.html

Dispatching Functions

Dispatching duties are shared by a staff of 18 dispatchers who work a combination 12 and 24 hour shift schedule. Additionally, there are up to 4 part time dispatchers to help cover sick leaves, vacations, and provide support during emergencies. Dispatch personnel are supported by 4 Information Technicians, an Administrative Assistant, and supervised by a Communications Manager and an Administrator. North Comm routinely staffs five workstations. These workstations are assigned functionally as call takers, radio dispatchers, and patrol dispatcher/back-up call taker. Each of these workstations can assume any of the other position’s functions and/or responsibilities instantaneously. Under normal operating conditions, a request for assistance is received at a call taker position. The call taker enters the pertinent information such as location, type of incident, callback number, and any supplemental information. The dispatcher verifies the address, and upon verification, transfers the information by computer to the primary radio dispatcher.

The Tritech Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system provides to the primary dispatcher a dynamic unit recommendation based on the closest available units that are suitable to the particular call type. If this recommendation complies with current policy, the dispatch is initiated. The unit’s station alarms and pagers are activated via CAD and the dispatch information is received on printers in the stations and personnel pagers. The entire sequence, from picking up the phone to station alarm activation, can take place in as little as 12 seconds, with an average of 30 seconds. The radio dispatcher is responsible for all activity needed to handle the working incidents. The primary duties of this position are to 1) answer all incident-related radio traffic, 2) monitor and acknowledge the incident-related status changes from field units.

 

[FYR955]

Incident Information

Detailed information such as the type you are asking about (e.g.: call taker medical questions) is relayed to responding resources via Mobile Data Computers (MDC). Data entered during the call-taking process is entered into the dispatch system, is routinely updated enroute. All of this is viewable by via the MDC.

 

[NewSDScanner]

That's what I figured. Thanks guys!