Computer-Aided Dispatch

Computer-aided dispatch (CAD) is the system EMSA uses to log patients' phone calls and get ambulances to those patients quickly. EMSA system status controllers (SSCs), or dispatchers, began using a new CAD system called RightCAD in August 2002.

Developed by Colorado-based Pinpoint Technologies, RightCAD is a Windows-based application designed to hasten the process of getting emergency assistance to those in need. Dynamic maps and color-coded charts give SSCs a clear view of ambulances' status with one glance. The system also helps SSCs select the appropriate unit for an emergency response by comparing the address of an incident to a database containing cross-streets, map grids and latitude/longitude coordinates.

RightCAD boasts of several features not previously available in older CAD programs. By storing the entire history of each medical call - from the moment an SSC answered the telephone in the 911 center to the day payment was received - in one electronic file, RightCAD gives authorized employees instantaneous access to an entire warehouse of data. Plus, RightCAD uses sophisticated security devices and highly-reliable global positioning system tracking of ambulances. RightCAD can also detect when 911 call comes in whether EMSA has responded to prior calls at that address and can send information about those previous incidents to crews responding to the current call.

Other important portions of the EMSA CAD system:

ProQA

A major enhancement of the communications centers has been the integration of ProQA medical priority dispatching software into the system. EMSA’s SSCs have immediate on-screen access to ProQA, which improves efficiency, minimizes time to dispatch and improves dispatch life support and resource management.

The ProQA program is integrated into the CAD system so that when a SSC enters patient information into ProQA, it is automatically updated in the CAD system and relayed to the responding field crews and first responders.

EMSA has seen a reduction in response time in excess of 20 seconds since integrating ProQA into the CAD system. This is a valuable tool in providing the finest emergency medical service to the communities EMSA serves.

AVL

Automated Vehicle Location (AVL) is achieved by a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system. GPS transmitters send the unit’s signal to a series of satellites that triangulate the position of the unit down to a few meters. From there, the data is sent to the computer to be displayed on a computer screen.

Centracom Elite

The Centracom Elite is a state-of-the-art radio communication system. It permits communications on a selected radio channel, multiple channels, or hospital notification systems. In addition, it enables EMSA paramedics to make phone calls from their two-way radio.

Communications with field units is carried out on a main dispatch channel. EMSA also has several other radio channels that we can utilize during large scale events and disasters. Radios in the emergency room of the major hospitals are linked with the Communications Centers as well. These are used by units in the field to communicate with Medical Control physicians for orders and to report patient information to hospital staff.

ANI/ALI

The ANI-ALI system provides the Communication Center with information on calls that arrive on the 9-1-1 system. This information includes the name, phone number of origin, address, time and date of the call. The ALI screen displays a list of appropriate police, fire and ambulance agencies that are responsible for the specific location that the person is calling from. Each position has an ANI/ALI screen connected to that position’s phone. In addition, the radio positions has a "slave" screen for each of the ANI/ALI screens, allowing the SSC controlling the radio to see the incoming information at the same time as the call-taker, which speeds dispatching of ambulances.