Emergency Medical Dispatch
About Emergency Medical Dispatch
The 9-1-1 Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (9-1-1 ACOG) implemented enhanced 9-1-1 programming, known as Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD), in February 2004.
Several years ago, concerned health advocates and community leaders approached the Association to explore the feasibility of developing EMD. EMD is a process that handles medically oriented 9-1-1 calls by using approved guidelines and instructions. The system immediately provides medical assistance and patient care while an ambulance is en route to the scene.
EMD provides an immediate response by enabling the caller to take appropriate steps to help the victim. In some cases, the dispatcher becomes the “first responder” if they are trained on EMD.
An ACOG committee comprised of state and regional administrators began to research the opportunities a few years ago to improve dispatch capabilities and the ability of call-takers to give pre-arrival instructions to people who call 9-1-1 during a medical emergency. Costs to communities, training of dispatchers and quality service were all components that were studied before implementation. The Central Oklahoma EMD system is accompanied by a built-in quality assurance system that provides consistent and valid service delivery. The system also includes medical oversight and a quality review component that evaluates randomly selected calls.
Where EMD is Available in Central Oklahoma
Prior to training, which started in summer 2003, the only trained and certified EMD public safety answering points in Central Oklahoma were those serviced by the Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA). Now, EMD is available throughout the region through EMSA and by call centers at the city of Midwest City, city of Norman and Parkview Emergency Medical Service in El Reno. These answering points will manage EMD calls for large sections of the region, making Emergency Medical Dispatch fully operational and available throughout Central Oklahoma. It is also expected to be available soon in Cleveland County, Guthrie, Newcastle, Tuttle and Noble.
EMD Served Communities (as of February 2004)
Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) serves:
- Oklahoma City
- Bethany
- Edmond
- Mustang
- Nichols Hills
- Parts of unincorporated Oklahoma County
- Arcadia
- Lake Aluma
- Valley Brook
- Woodlawn Park
- Piedmont
- Parts of unincorporated Canadian County
- The Village
- Warr Acres
- Yukon
- Parts of unincorporated Logan County
City of Midwest City Emergency Operations Center handles serves:
- Midwest City
- Del City
- Moore
- Choctaw
- Parts of unincorporated Oklahoma County
- Forest Park
- Harrah
- Jones City
- Luther
- Nicoma Park
- Smith Village
- Spencer
- Tinker Air Force Base
- Norman
- Parts of unincorporated Cleveland County
- El Reno
- Union City
- Calumet
- Okarche
- Geary
- Parts of unincorporated Canadian County