Communications Center
Nicknamed "Alarm"
Emergency Medical Dispatch
It has been said that the Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) is the “first, First Responder”. Pre-hospital Care truly begins at the time a person calls 9-1-1.
Over the last 25 years it has become widely recognized that the person who takes a telephone request for emergency medical assistance must be able to do more than take the address of the incident and then call the ambulance personnel on the radio and tell them where to go.
The modern EMD must be able to quickly identify the seriousness of the problem, dispatch the appropriate response (from a single ambulance with no lights-and-siren to the 'cavalry': police, fire truck, paramedics, and ambulance with sirens blaring), and provide life-sustaining medical instructions to the caller when necessary.
The EMD has become a medical professional that makes medical decisions about what care the patient needs, e.g., what medical resources to send to the patient, and a teacher of medical care over the telephone, what to do or not to do.
Computer Aided Dispatch Systems
MCHD funded the initial establishment of our county's 9-1-1 System. Now, as an independent agency, MCECD (911) works closely with Today's MCHD to insure proper emergency response.
An enhanced 9-1-1 system allows MCHD dispatchers to immediately access the location of the caller and pre-alert emergency responders. In most cases, the responding unit has been alerted within a few seconds of someone dialing 9-1-1.
MCHD’s Certified EMD’s are all fully qualified to obtain necessary information from the sometimes hysterical or confused callers, and provide life saving pre-arrival instruction using the National Academies of Emergency Dispatch protocols. These instructions, such as CPR, controlled bleeding, or delivering a baby, are proven industry standards as illustrated in the popular television culture. Version 12.0 is fundamentally better at achieving the Four Essential Objectives of Call Processing: sending the proper response, providing Dispatch Life Support, providing useful information to responders and ensuring safety.
MCHD utilizes Zoll Data Systems Dispatch software (formerly known as RightCAD) for EMS Dispatch and the Zoll Data's mobile data application Nomad for routing and messaging services. The software integrates seamlessly with the Billing application to increase efficiency and productivity.
Quality Improvement
MCHD has implemented a comprehensive quality improvement program. Continuous performance assessment and re-qualification insure that dispatchers maintain nationally recognized credentials and remain at peak efficiency. Quality improvement review is conducted using AQUA software, which imports the protocol and actions taken by the EMD. The reviewer is able to use actual audio and responses to provide feedback to the EMD.
In April 2007, MCHD’s Quality Improvement Program was reviewed by the National Academies of Emergency Dispatch. After examination of the 20 Points of Accreditation, MCHD was certified as the 111th Accredited Center of Excellence.
