Thursday, March 28, 2024

GPD announces new EMS dispatch software

Posted

The Gatesville Police Department is set to implement a new emergency dispatching service beginning July 13 to better serve the residents of Gatesville and Coryell County in emergency situations.

The Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS) will better help emergency dispatchers to send the correct help and safely prioritize calls for response. Through a series of questions that follow nationally recognized standards, dispatchers will be able to provide responders with more accurate information regarding the situation at hand. Dispatchers will also be able to provide lifesaving and safety instructions to callers and patients before responders arrive, such as performing CPR or delivering a baby.

Communications Supervisor Jessica Stiles says she is excited about the new program, as it will assist communications officers to better process medical calls through the dispatch center.

The new system includes ProQA software, a three-day certification course for emergency dispatchers and continual quality improvement benchmarks and training. All MPDS dispatchers are certified by the International Academics of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) and must recertify every two years, complete 24 hours of continuing dispatch education and pass all requirements for IAED recertification.

CEO, Founder and Board of Trustees member for the IAED Medical Council of Standards Dr. Jeff Clawson said their goal is to help the emergency dispatcher do his or her job better.

“This system increases safety and effectiveness for the first responders and creates better outcomes for callers,” said Dr. Clawson.

The IAED’s MPDS program is used in 54 countries and over 3,500 centers throughout the world. Their mission is the advance and support the public-safety emergency telecommunications professional and ensure that citizens in need of emergency, health and social services are matched safely, quickly and effectively with the more appropriate resource.