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What is the exact location of your emergency?
When you call 9-1-1 for help, the first person you talk to isn't the first
responder at your door. It's the person on the phone. 9-1-1 Dispatchers are
trained to determine the location and nature of an incident, and also assist
the caller with providing care to the patient prior to the arrival of emergency
responders. This early intervention can often make all the difference in
an emergency situation. Determining the proper response to the situation
involves a series of questions.
What is the exact location
of your emergency?
This is the most important question of all. Once the location has been confirmed,
the first responders can be sent. Dispatchers must always verify that the
location displayed is correct. The dispatcher will also verify the phone
number to re-contact the caller if for some reason the call is disconnected.
What's the problem?
This question begins the information gathering process and gives the dispatcher
a chief complaint to work with. A brief description of what happened helps
determine what help is needed.
Case Specific Questions
Once a chief complaint is identified a series of questions specific to that
problem are asked to guide the dispatcher in determining the patient's
condition. It also helps identify what supportive care may need to be given
prior to the arrival of Paramedics. This can range from providing CPR instructions
to controlling bleeding or assisting with the delivery of a baby.
These questions are designed to provide as much help as possible to the patient before emergency crews arrive. The questions also provide information that emergency crews can use to prepare to assist you while in route. 9-1-1 Dispatchers play an essential role in responding to your emergency, all starting with your response to their questions.
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