Crook County 911 is launching a new emergency medical response system to improve efficiency for first responders, according to the 911 Communications Director.
The new dispatch software gets critical information to emergency dispatchers more quickly, resulting in faster response times.
“The ProQA software gives us the ability to better determine what resources to send to medical emergencies with the right equipment,” said Director Rebekah Burkhardt.
The software combines computer technology with protocols from the National Academies of Emergency Dispatch, keeping dispatchers up-to-date on the best-known standards of care.
“With the implementation of ProQA, our dispatchers have the opportunity to invest in and work with a proven system that enables efficient and effective information gathering from a member of our community needing help,” said Dave Pickhardt, Crook County Fire and Rescue Deputy Chief. “This correct information gathering ultimately results in first responders responding with the details and information they need to support a safe and effective response.”
The program’s tools help accurately identify strokes and breathing patterns related to heart attacks, assists dispatchers with guiding callers through CPR, and can even calculate the number of weeks in a pregnancy using a due date.
“Using the Stroke Diagnostic Tool has been shown to take only about 27 seconds and provides early and accurate stroke identification for responders,” said Burkhardt.
In 2020, there were around 3,820 Emergency Medical Service calls to Crook County 911, which provides service to the Prineville Police Department, the Crook County Sheriff’s Office, Crook County Fire and Rescue, and the U.S. Forest Service.
“Every second counts in an emergency and the new dispatch system will assist dispatchers and first responders in providing the highest standard of care to the community,” said Prineville Mayor Jason Beebe.
The new dispatch software will start being used this week.
