- You are here:
- Home
- Government
- Departments A - F
- Central Communications
- Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD)
Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD)
On July 1, 2004, pursuant to Connecticut State Statue 28-25B(G)(1), the City of Middletown began an Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Program. The City began using EMD Protocol of the National Academy of Emergency Medical Dispatch. Each of our dispatchers is certified as an Advanced Emergency Medical Dispatcher and is certified in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). These protocols are also overseen by the Medical Director at Middlesex Hospital. Monthly, an EMD Quality Assurance Report is provided to the City's Public Safety Telecommunications Commission.
Protocol
Any time a dispatcher receives a call reporting a medical emergency, the EMD protocol is initiated either by manual card sets or the computerized version. In either case, the call is handled the same way. When you call 911, the dispatcher will always ask 4 case entry questions:
- 911, What's the address of your emergency?
- What's the telephone number you are calling from?
- What's your name?
- What's the problem, tell me exactly what happened?
The dispatcher will then move on to more pertinent information about the patient and their condition. Please remember that help is on the way! Even while you are answering questions and the dispatcher is providing instructions, help is being sent to you.
Emergency Response
In almost every case, the fire department will respond to assist you. An ambulance is always sent. In some cases, a paramedic, which provides advanced life support, may be sent. You also may notice that when the paramedic and ambulance respond, they may not be responding lights and sirens (hot response). Studies have shown that a hot response only saves a few seconds and reduces the risk of emergency vehicle collisions.
In addition to asking questions, in serious medical emergencies, the dispatchers are trained to provide pre-arrival instructions. Middletown dispatchers are training to instruct callers how to do (CPR), maintain airways, deliver a child, control serious bleeding, and provide instructions for choking victims.