A registry-based observational study comparing emergency calls assessed by emergency medical dispatchers with and without support by registered nurses

A registry-based observational study comparing emergency calls assessed by emergency medical dispatchers with and without support by registered nurses

Our results demonstrate that more precise emergency medical dispatching, measured as dispatch priority, accuracy, and medical condition, was not obtained when an EMD had the support of an RN. EMDs working without an RN dispatched most of the calls with the two highest priorities, while when supported by an RN, the proportion of Priority 1 calls was substantially lower. Concordance in the assessment of priority was higher between the EMD and ambulance when the calls were assessed by the EMD alone. Undertriage was observed more often in calls assessed by an EMD with support from an RN…

Public Safety Advocate: Resolutions to Enhance Public-Safety Communications – Part One

I trust you and yours had a great holiday season! As we move on to 2022, hopes are that Covid will finally be under control and we will watch our economy roar back to life. Now it is time for making New Year’s Resolutions with the best of intentions (but most of us won’t keep them very long).

I am hopeful we can start this year on a positive note for public-safety communications and that we will continue enhancing technologies, devices, and applications the public-safety community uses on FirstNet. Let’s all sign on to the resolutions outlined below and see how many we can keep through 2022…

Don’t Ignore New 911 Compliance Regulations for 2022

With all of the distractions in 2021, many people aren’t aware of a new federal requirement that governs 911 calls and the phone systems that originate these calls. These new laws particularly impact the vast number of organizations that migrated to cloud telephone providers to support remote workers during COVID-19. In August 2019, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted rules to strengthen emergency calls. The newest requirement is the second part of RAY BAUM’S Act, which applies to multi-line telephone systems (MLTS). That means the laws apply to every business with two or more phone lines as part of their phone system… READ MORE

Biden Renominates Sohn for FCC, Defying Calls to Withdraw Pick

Biden Renominates Sohn for FCC, Defying Calls to Withdraw Pick

President Joe Biden renominated Democrat Gigi Sohn to serve on the Federal Communications Commission, despite broad Republican opposition.

Sohn’s confirmation would secure a Democratic majority at the commission for the first time since Biden took office, allowing it to pursue policies such as restoring Obama-era net neutrality rules.

The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee didn’t advance the nomination during the last congressional session…

How Emergency Services Can Improve in 2022 With NG911

For the past 50 years, 911 has remained relatively unchanged. The need to upgrade is evident as technology evolves and the demand for more reliable emergency response grows.

Although 911 is vital to every community, NG911 can help make it better. As the nationwide initiative to upgrade traditional 911 systems to NG9-1-1 continues, so does the opportunity to enhance public safety in the new year… READ MORE

FirstNet innovates disaster recovery for emergency management

By Bruce Fitzgerald, Senior Public Safety Advisor, First Responder Network Authority

FirstNet helps with the four phases of emergency management – preparedness(link is external)response(link is external), recovery, and mitigation. I’d like to dive deeper into how FirstNet helps with the recovery phase.

Communicating during the recovery phase

Every year, disasters put millions of Americans in danger and cost billions of dollars in property damage. After the threat of harm from a disaster has passed, the recovery phase starts. Recovery can take months or years to get a community back on its feet. It’s critical to quickly start damage assessments and applications for financial assistance following a disaster.

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