Prioritizing Emergency Medical Dispatch and the Impact on Resources and Service Delivery   [open pdf - 87KB]

"Douglas County Fire District No. 2's (DCFD2) does not have a system for prioritizing EMS [Emergency Medical Services] dispatches. The purpose of the research was to determine, through descriptive research, criteria for implementing an effective system for prioritizing EMS responses. The procedures included literature review and a survey of other fire agencies. Research answered what the standards in the industry were and what the benefits and risks of implementing a medical priority dispatch system were. Results showed that there were proven, established priority medical dispatch programs being utilized across the nation that could effectively be implemented in our jurisdiction."