Question

How essential is 9-1-1 to the field operations and responses of Police, Fire, and EMS agencies? What can be done by 9-1-1 to ensure that it is able to contribute consistently to on-scene operations and how can police, fire, and EMS professionals be encouraged to learn about 9-1-1 so that barriers of misunderstanding or misinformation are reduced?

Answer 1

Answer to the question:

Normally, a 9-1-1 service is handled by a telecommunicator who is a high school diploma holder or a graduate with good communication skills. Whenever, 9-1-1 is dialed, the telecommunicator responds to the person who is having an emergency condition and get each and every minute details of the situation which the person in distress is undergoing. Also, the telecommunicator asks about the area where such emergency is being occurred. Getting correct details by the telecommunicator is very important as the same will be provided to the emergency services agencies such as Police, Fire and EMS. Basis this information, these agencies can promptly react to the distress call and reach the spot at a much lesser time so that the emergency situation is handled properly and the person in distress gets the emergency services.

In order to maintain consistency in its operations, the 9-1-1 service handlers or dispatchers must be regularly trained for their job with added communication skills training so that they can react promptly and speedily to the emergency situations and dispatch the emergency agencies to the right place and at right time. Further, the emergency services such as police, fire and EMS professionals should be encouraged to learn about the 9-1-1 services. They must be told about the importance of 9-1-1 and they must know its importance as their actual work starts post this service. They must be able to communicate with the dispatchers properly so that they get proper address and knowledge about the situation. On field training must be imparted upon them to avoid any kind of misunderstanding or misinformation.