[Scan-DC] Fw: Inter-Agency Awareness Program Between Fire/EMS Department and Public Safety Communications

[Dewey3]

We (MPDC) used to do this in the '80's.  Officers were given an hour or two
detail to go downtown and dispatch.  It was a great program and a lot of us
had fun making "numerous" WALES checks to mess with the follow officer in
the "Hot Seat".  I don't know what the long term educational value was, but
most officers came back talking about how they really learned some things
about dispatcher duty.

Dewey
On Jan 9, 2014 1:07 AM, "Alan Henney" <alan at henney.com> wrote:

>
> Maybe if the police officers were put in the dispatcher's chair, they
> would make more use of their radio to call other police agencies direct
> rather than putting the burden on their dispatchers to make notifications.
> They do have two radios now in most PGPD cars, no?
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Brady, Mark E.
> To: Fire/EMS Department ; Prince George's County Media
> Sent: Wednesday, January 08, 2014 2:29 PM
> Subject: Inter-Agency Awareness Program Between Fire/EMS Department and
> Public Safety Communications
>
> Inter-Agency Awareness Program Between Fire/EMS Department and Public
> Safety Communications
>
> By: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, Prince George's County Fire/EMS
> Department
>
> @PGFDPIO
>
> Inter-Agency Awareness Program Between Fire/EMS Department and Public
> Safety Communications
>
> The Prince George's County Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
> Department has embarked upon an "awareness" program, which involves career
> and volunteer personnel serving as Incident Commanders.  The program is a
> joint effort with Public Safety Communications (PSC) personnel who are
> responsible for 911 calls and the dispatch of Fire/EMS units.  PSC falls
> under a separate agency within County government but has daily interaction
> on a variety of subjects.
>
> The inter-agency program’s official title is The Other Side of the Radio -
> PSC Awareness 101.  The nickname of “PSC Sit-Along" has commonly been used
> in the field to identify the program, as it shadows a traditional practice
> in the Fire/EMS Department.  This tradition allows non-firefighter/medics
> to "ride- along” on fire/EMS units, for the purpose of gaining a better
> perspective of operations.
>
> Assistant Fire Chief Thomas “TJ” James and PSC Shift Supervisor Howard
> “Chip” Ewing developed the program after discussing mutual frustrations
> from their personnel about the operations and rationale for why certain
> tasks are performed in each other’s jobs. “This program was put together as
> a measure to bring a better understanding of what PSC does.  We felt that
> command level officers would gain the most from this awareness program,”
> stated Ewing.
>
> “Over the years I've noticed there is sometimes a disconnect between the
> dispatchers, command officers, and crews in the field,” said Assistant
> Chief James. “Crews in the field have neither an idea of what resources PSC
> staff has to offer us, nor the expectations from both sides.”
>
> After receiving approval from both the Fire/EMS Department and PSC agency
> heads, the program was implemented.
>
> After scheduling their Sit-Along, personnel arrive at the large
> multi-million dollar, state-of-the-art facility in Bowie, Maryland.  During
> their visit that is expected to be up to 3 hours, the Fire/EMS officer will
> go to three areas within PSC.  Following a tour of the facility, the
> officer is provided a headset and sits down with a 911 call-taker to listen
> to incoming calls.  According to Ewing, “This is so they will have a better
> understanding of where the information they receive while out in the field
> comes from.  The hope is the officers will gain a greater sense of how
> challenging it is at times for PSC to get information from citizens.”
>
> Battalion Chief Michael K. Linynsky, a Sit-Along participant, was
> impressed with the call-taker’s approach to obtaining information and
> forwarding it to the appropriate agency (Fire/EMS, Police, Sheriff, other
> jurisdiction or municipality) for dispatch.  He said, “The calls came in
> quite rapidly, which was surprising considering it was early afternoon.
> The call-taker explained how the calls came in and how they were
> dispatched.  Prior to even finishing the call, the call-taker had actually
> sent the information over to dispatch, which was already dispatching
> units.  I was able to watch in real time units already responding on calls
> way before the call-taker finished questioning the caller.”
>
> The next area of awareness is at the busiest channel, Talk Group 2, or any
> alternate talk group incident that happens to come in.  Here, the
> dispatcher handles the majority radio traffic that includes all EMS
> incidents and single response fire incidents.  “This should open their eyes
> to see how many tasks a dispatcher handles while working the radio,” said
> Ewing.   “When in the field on an incident, the Incident Command Officer
> has to keep track of 7 to 10 units on most incidents, while the dispatcher
> has to keep track of ALL the units on ALL incidents.”  Battalion Chief
> Linynsky, amazed at the manner in which Dispatcher Cherry handled herself,
> stated, “There is actually very little downtime on this channel, as
> everything from sprained ankles to automatic fire alarms are handled here.
> The dispatcher was constantly working and actually needed a foot pedal to
> key up the radio, as she was constantly typing or using the phone for
> callbacks.”
>
> The last stop on the three-hour tour is with the Shift Supervisor, who
> explains how calls are dispatched; how transfers are made; how the radio
> systems works; and, what resources are available to the officer while on an
> incident.  The supervisor will also talk about the “15 minute PAR check
> sheet.”  This check sheet is a tool provided to the officer to help him/her
> know what information is expected from them during a working incident.
> Finally, a detailed account is given on the working of the CAD and how it
> can be used as a tool to help the officer in several different ways.
>
> “The supervisors at PSC have specific things about which they always make
> sure to they prompt command,” said Linynsky following his sit-along with
> Shift Supervisor Chip Ewing.  “One of the most important things that people
> forget about is the PAR checks. This is always done at fifteen minutes from
> when command is established, not fifteen minutes from when a command
> officer arrives.  The reason it is done at fifteen minutes is that is how
> fast a firefighter can deplete his air if he/she is working hard.”
>
> Sit-Along participant Linynsky was fortunate enough to sit and listen to a
> building fire dispatch that consisted of 4 engines, 2 ladder trucks, a
> heavy duty rescue squad, an ambulance, and 2 battalion chiefs.  The call
> involved a 911 report of smoke in the basement of an apartment building.
> “With the new status buttons on our radios,” he said, “I was amazed at how
> silent the radios have become.  The firefighter doesn't notice the silence
> as they are thinking about their game plan and the sirens are going.  Each
> assignment I listened to was over relatively quickly, as there was nothing
> found.”
>
> Overall, the awareness program has been successful in achieving the goals
> as set forth. Dave Beck, Assistant Operations Manager for Fire/EMS and
> Police Dispatch Centers, stated, “Chief James and EDIV Ewing have done a
> terrific job with this program.  The program allows the battalion chiefs to
> see the call from start to finish.  They see how, by the call-takers asking
> pertinent questions, the EMD and EFD protocols help them in the field.”  He
> further described the program, saying, “When participants sit with the
> dispatcher, they get a better understanding of why the dispatcher is asking
> certain questions.  Sitting with the dispatch supervisor enables them to
> see how units are selected through the CAD system for certain calls.  They
> also understand if staffing is not reported correctly, it may lead to not
> sending the closest units to the call.  Lastly, PSC goes over how to use
> the basic functions of CAD, so the battalion chief can use it as an
> investigation tool to look up calls for service by station, call types,
> units, etc.”  Operations Manger Beck concluded by saying, “At the end of
> the day, we are all here for same reason, which is to assist Prince
> George’s County citizens the best that we can. The battalion chief
> Sit-Along Program makes both agencies better off.”
>
> PSC Shift Supervisor Ewing summarized the program saying, “So far, the
> majority of officers who have attended The Other Side of the Radio
> awareness program have come away with a better understanding of what PSC
> does and how it all works.  They have nothing but positive feedback for
> this program.”
>
> “By simply sitting with PSC staff while they are doing their job—seeing
> what they go through—would help with understanding what the front side of
> our emergency response system goes through day in and day out, said
> Assistant Fire Chief James.  “I hope that after seeing and experiencing how
> and what the PSC staff/dispatchers go through, the disconnect between the
> two parties that mitigate some very serious incidents will be minimized,
> thereby enabling them to perform the task as a team.  I walked away with a
> new appreciation for the work our call-takers and dispatchers do.  Will I
> operate differently in the field after this program?  Yes!  Without a
> doubt, awareness is an amazing thing!”
>
> The Other Side of the Radio - PSC Awareness 101 program is open to all
> career and volunteer command staff at the rank of battalion chief and
> above.  To participate in the program, Fire/EMS personnel should contact
> Assistant Fire Chief Thomas James.
>
> PSC Shift Supervisor Chip Ewing watches as Dispatcher Robert Mosely
> operates a 4th Battalion Box Alarm assignment with Battalion Chief Linynsky
> listening in.
>
> Mosely and Linynsky wait for radio traffic after "box assignment" is
> dispatched.  Linynsky stated, "With new status buttons on our radios, I was
> amazed at how silent the radios have become."
>
> Battalion Chief Linynsky listens in as 911 Call Taker Kristen Spolar
> handles an incoming call.
>
> Linynsky is amazed watching veteran dispatcher Marci Cherry handle the
> busiest radio channel/Talk Group
>
> Battalion Chief Linynsky and Dispatcher Cherry.  "Very little down time at
> this position," said Linynsky.
>
> Battalion Chief Linynsky and Dispatcher Cherry.  "Very little down time at
> this position," said Linynsky.
>
> Mark E. Brady
> Chief Spokesperson/PIO
> Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department
> 9201 Basil Court #452
> Largo, MD 20774
> Twitter @PGFDPIO
>