Use of a Case Entry™ system: the protocol provides a standardized method for answering each call in the same manner while identifying the Chief Fire/Medical/Police Complaint and its related scene safety issues. This system also provides for immediate dispatch in life-threatening situations.
Identification and ordering of Key Questions: the protocol identifies the necessary questions for each Chief Fire/Medical/Police Complaint and logically orders them for safety and effectiveness.
Logic-based selection of Determinant codes: the protocol selects a response code based on the information provided by the caller. These codes help the agency to match the response to the incident so that agencies can appropriately conserve resources when safe to do so.
Provides Pre-Arrival Instructions for life-threatening situations: based on the information provided by the caller, the protocol can recognize specific, life-threatening situations. It then facilitates a Zero-Minute Response™ to these situations by providing easy to follow, step-by-step Pre-Arrival Instructions to the caller or victim.
Provides Post-Dispatch Instructions for callers and calltakers: using the information provided by the caller, these important instructions help the dispatcher direct the caller or victim to improve scene safety and the effectiveness of the overall response. These instructions also provide direction to the calltaker/dispatcher as to which additional agencies should receive notification.
Benefits of the PDS include:
ESTABLISHMENT OF A UNIFIED STANDARD helps ensure that each caller receives comparable levels of service regardless of the Chief Fire/Medical/Police Complaint or calltaker. A unified standard also facilitates Quality Improvement procedures since each dispatcher's performance is evaluated with the same measure.
SAFE PRIORITIZATION OF RESPONSES enables agencies to match the response configuration to the seriousness of the incident. This process maximizes resource utility while minimizing the potential for Emergency Fire/Medical/Police Vehicle Collisions and system depletion.
CERTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY FIRE DISPATCHERS (EFDs EMDs PPDs) builds confidence in the community and efficiency in the communications center. Appropriate training always provides the highest level of return when using the PDS.
QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROCEDURES measure individual performance against a known standard. These procedures maintain a high standard of service across caller, calltaker, and Chief Fire/Medical/Police Complaint variables.
REDUCTION OF LIABILITY results when agencies work from a recognized standard of practice, prioritize responses, certify users, and provide quality improvement. The PDS provides the most complete package in liability protection for fire dispatch.
ACCREDITATION is a reward and tribute to the hard work Emergency Fire/Medical/Police Dispatchers provide to both the agency and their community. Communications center agencies that demonstrate on-going quality improvement and excellence in the use of the PDS may apply to the National Academies of Emergency Dispatch for recognition as a nationally accredited center.
