Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma

Tiered dispatching coming to Fallbrook

Beginning July 1, the number of emergency flashing lights and sirens blaring on Code 1 calls in the area may be decreasing. That's because a new procedure called Tiered Dispatching will go into effect.

"Tiered dispatching will allow the dispatcher to have more time with the 911 caller to dig deeper," explained Kevin Mahr, division chief of operations for the North County Fire District, based in Fallbrook. "That helps the dispatcher make a better choice on what units to send on the call."

The change is that a fire engine and ambulance may not both be sent if the dispatcher determines the ambulance won't be needed, such as a non-serious accident. The current dispatch procedure is to send two units – a fire engine and ambulance or fire engines from two stations – on any call.

There are only three ambulances that serve the five stations in Fallbrook, Rainbow and Bonsall, so by being more selective on when one is sent, it will mean a greater opportunity for the ambulance to be 'saved' for when it's more needed.

"Don't worry!" Mahr said. "If you call with chest pains or another emergency, we'll respond with the same speed and intensity as now – with our full set of advanced medical responders. There won't be any delay because we treat this very seriously."

The new program begins July 1 and after 6 months, the program will be reviewed and possibly further modified, he said.

Mahr explained that the dispatcher will spend additional time with the caller to not only pass information to the responding unit(s) but to also give pre-arrival instructions to the caller that may help save a life – such as beginning CPR.

"Our goal is to ensure we send the appropriate resources. This will help free up resources like the ambulance," he said. "It will help us provide better service to the community."

The operations director said tiered dispatching isn't really a new concept.

"It's common in larger cities across the U.S., but it is possible here because the district is in a joint powers agreement with most of the other agencies in North County, giving it 'big city power.'"

When a caller in the area places a 911 call, it's first answered by the County's Public Safety Answering Point operated by the San Diego Sheriff in Kearny Mesa. If the request is for fire or emergency medical in the North County (minus Escondido), the call is transferred to North County Dispatch, also known as North Comm, the regional fire and emergency medical dispatch center located in Rancho Santa Fe.

Dispatchers then contact the closest available units, which could be from nearby agencies if the stations in the Fallbrook district are on another call. A Code 1 call is urgent, with lights and sirens, and Code 2 is for lower priority, with lights but no siren and observing standard driving rules – stopping at stop signs, etc.

The dispatcher communicates with the responding unit(s) primarily through typing notes to the Mobile Data Computer, or by radio. The caller and responding unit don't communicate directly.

"We hope to see our response time improve through having better resources available," Mahr said. "This has a lot of potential to help."

The relationship between dispatchers and the department is outstanding, Mahr noted. "We couldn't do our jobs without them – they are incredible – and they are a critical part of our response team. They are absolutely a big part of the success of the department."

 

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