GRIC EMS Receive Dispatch Certification
WILD HORSE PASS-On Thurs,
Nov. 29, 2007, Lt. Governor Jennifer Allison Ray presented an award from the National Native
American Emergency Medical Service (NNAEMS) to the Gila River Emergency Medical Service
(EMS). The First Responder of the Year Award 2007 was presented to EMS in recognition of
outstanding contributions and dedication to the field of EMS. The award ceremony took place at
the Shelde Building next to the Whirlwind Golf Resort in Gila River. In addition to receiving the
First Responder Award, all EMS dispatchers were presented with their Emergency Medical Dispatch
(EMD) certification. By completing their training, the Gila River EMS will operate the first
known EMS dispatch program with a tribal nation, which is a major accomplishment not only
for them but also for the Community.
Brief Story Regarding Emergency
Medical Dispatch within Gila River A dispatcher recently conveyed a story about a child choking in the Community several years ago. EMS, the Fire Department and Police Department rushed to the scene as quickly as possible, but because of the distance, it was too late. The child died before anyone had arrived. It was a devastating event for the family and everyone involved. Even the dispatchers were deeply emotionally affected. Their greatest concern was that they could not provide life saving instructions to assist the mother in dislodging the object from the child’s throat. But that has changed now.With the implementation of Emergency Medical Dispatch, dispatchers are now able to provide life-saving instructions over the telephone to anyone who calls 9-1-1 within the Community.
History of the Gila River Indian Community Emergency Medical Dispatch Program
The EMD Program began in late 2005 in reaction to the deficiencies under the old dispatching system. Throughout 2006, Gila River Emergency Medical Service (EMS) conducted training to obtain a certified EMD instructor through the Association of Public-Safety Communication Officials (APCO) a nationally recognized EMD agency.While instructor, Ruben Major obtained certification, the program established the EMD Guidance Committee to work on the new system. This process involved input from all public safety agencies in Gila River.
In Mar. 2007, Dr. Chad Jorgensen, a Medical Director Physician, was obtained to medically oversee the program and to ensure proper medical practices were abided by within the EMD Program. The dispatchers completed training of 90 hours and EMD Committee Meetings have been held throughout the year. On October 25, 2007, dispatchers were trained as Certified Emergency Medical Dispatchers. On November 1, 2007, the EMD Program was officially implemented.
Currently, nearly 500 calls have been triaged and medical information provided. Since its inception two calls have been received for choking victims of which one person has been confirmed as saved by EMD protocols. One call has been received where CPR instructions have been provided over the phone. The EMD Program continues to help the community of Gila River and those who pass through its boundaries everyday. These boundaries include the route to the City of Maricopa and the path from Phoenix to Casa Grande and Tucson through approximately 30 miles of Interstate 10.
Goal/Purpose of EMD
The purpose of the EMD program is twofold: To provide life-saving and other medical information to those who call 9-1-1; to prioritize Community resources according to call types. Life-saving information is not provided on all occasions. However, general medical instructions will be provided to callers when necessary, depending on their condition. Additionally, information is gathered to assist responding units to have a better understanding of the person’s illness or injury before they arrive. Finally, this information makes the callers feel better and assists responders by establishing a better relationship prior to their arrival. The prioritization of the Gila River Indian Community resources according to call types assists the people by maximizing the availability of resources available at any given time. It also assists in maintaining the privacy of people who call 9-1-1 by limiting contact to necessary medical personnel. With the old, non-EMD dispatching system, EMS did not prioritize resources. Units responded to calls with their lights and siren on for everything. Even a minor scrape to the hand warranted at least 2 units to respond.With the EMD program this changes so that at least one of those units might be available if a cardiac arrest or choking call is dispatched. This has greatly improved the Community’s emergency services and overall system.
Gila River EMS and Lt. Gov Allison-Ray stand with their certification and award
- Article Reprinted from Gila River Indian Community Newspaper, December 2007 Edition
