JERAMEDIC

In this day of computer aided dispatch (CAD) systems, GPS locators, and EMD (Emergency medical dispatch) algorithms, one could argue that the process of getting the closest and most appropriate resources to the scene of an emergency, has been greatly stream lined. There is however two things these technologies are lacking: Eyes, and judgment.

You see no matter how much tech we load into a response vehicle and or dispatch center, there are still humans that need to operate the system, update the information, and make treatment and transport decisions. Field providers, dispatchers, and hospital staff need to be able to communicate effectively with each other, and most of all, believe each other.

What follows are two examples of a break in the communication trust.

Example 1:

30min before the end of my shift, and I am en route back to the station. My partner and I notice a large cloud of black smoke rising up a few blocks away. It was 12:30am, and radio chatter was lite. We did not hear anything relating to a fire go out, and so we thought we would go investigate. What we found was a two story house, fully involved in flames, and no one was around. No crowd of neighbors, no police, and no fire engines. Me: “Base, 1116”. Dispatch: “go ahead 1116”. Me: “1116, who do you have responding to the structure fire on 132^nd street?”. Dispatch: “ummmm, no response. There is no fire on 132^nd street”. Me: “yes there is, I’m looking at it” Dispatch : “umm, ok? Well we don’t show any fire calls in your area. Where are you?” Me: “At 123 132^nd street, and there is a house that is VERY much on fire”. Dispatch: “……. Oh! There it is… ok, well show you on scene”. Me: “Thank you”

Example 2:

At a red light, a car pulls up behind the ambulance, and two men exit the car. “this is when we get robed” I jokingly said to my partner, Bobby. The two men begin pounding on the window, they did not speak english, but it was obvious that they were asking for help, and not for our wallets and cell phones. I flipped on the amber secondaries as Bobby followed the men back to their car. As I stepped out of the ambulance I saw Bobby’s eyes get wide. “Its a GSW” (Gun Shot Wound) he shouted. I met him with the gurney at the back of a blood soaked SUV. The patient was quickly loaded into the ambulance, and I was on the radio. Me: “802, were at the corner of Any street and Somewhere Blvd, With a still alarm GSW, we need PD!”. Dispatch: “can you repeat?”. I repeated. While I waited for a reply, I helped Bobby assess and and start treatments. The patient was a male in his late teens. He was pale and moist with labored respirations and diminished lung sounds on the left. He had a a 2cm entrance wound to his left upper chest, mid clavicle. And a 3-4cm exit wound just below his left scapula. Dispatch: “whats the gender of the patent?” Me: “Male! Is PD en route?” I handed Bobby an occlusive dressing and asked if he was ready to go, “yeah, lets get moving” he said. I got into the drivers seat just as a county sheriff pulled up. I gave him a 10 sec report and left. Me: “dispatch 802, we are transporting code 3 to Saint F’s “. Dispatch: “do you need fire to respond”. Me: “No thank you”.

I understand that dispatching is not always the easiest job, and that there are protocols and procedures that must be followed. But when I ask for help, believe me. I promise I don’t make things up just to complicate things.

We are a team. And if we cant communicate and trust one anothers information, we loose points on the field. I am not ragging on dispatchers, I’m just promoting better professional trust. I encourage you to get to know your colleagues in the little dark room, offer a ride along, and play nice.