DECATUR-- The City and County Emergency Dispatch Center has implemented a new dispatch system designed to be more efficient and responsive to persons requiring help in an emergency in Decatur and Macon County.

They system, known as Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) is utilized as a means to more specifically determine the nature and severity of an emergency call which, in turn, will determine the best method of response.

With the system, dispatchers will ask callers a set of key questions during a call as a means of triage.  The questions, however, will not delay the responses of emergency personnel, as teams will still be dispatched immediately following the call. The difference under the new system is that dispatchers will be able to better determine which emergency personnel need to respond to the call and if there are special considerations specific to each individual call that need to be considered prior to teams arriving.

In some cases, assistance may be provided more rapidly than with the old system in that dispatchers may be able to provide directions allowing callers to provide an initial level of help.

“We’re excited as emergency responders as callers will actually get a better, more efficient level of response with this system,” said Fire Chief Matt Sekosky. “Even though the calls may be a little different than what residents are used to and there are more questions, we still respond within the same amount of time but with more information as to how to treat people in need of help.
           
“Ultimately our goal is to respond in the fastest, safest and most efficient way possible and this system allows us to do just that for the residents of Decatur and Macon County.”

Contact Fire Chief Matt Sekosky at 217-424-2811 or Billy Tyus at 217-424-2727 for more information.