Computer-aided Dispatch System Research Articles

Staffing levels are the most important factor influencing police response times

Abstract We examine the factors influencing police response times, with a particular focus on staffing levels, calls for service (CFS), and proactive police work. We estimate Bayesian Holt-Winters state-space models for each CFS priority level. Using a novel dataset that combines data from the Salt Lake City Police Department's staffing and Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems at the daily level over seven years, we estimate the effects that staffing, overtime, call volume, and the level of proactive work (e.g., traffic stops, pedestrian stops, business checks) have on police response times. Our findings indicate that the impact of staffing on response times is significantly greater than that of other independent variables in the models. Furthermore, improvements in response times for higher-priority (i.e., more serious) CFS have a lower elasticity response to increases in staffing levels. As police agencies face increasingly complex challenges, the empirical evidence presented herein serves as a cornerstone for making informed decisions in the intricate balancing act of resources, officer well-being, and public safety priorities.

Beyond the scene: The importance of time consumed on incident report task components in workload-based patrol allocation and deployment assessments

Based on the conclusions of a workload-based assessment of patrol staffing needs conducted at a Canadian police force between 2012 and 2016, this article highlights the importance of capturing time spent on components of calls for service (CFS) that result in an incident report for police allocation and deployment analyses. Initial Computer-Aided Dispatch System (CAD) data analysis suggested that CFS that results in an incident report have a significantly higher completion time than other types of calls. In order to account for CFS handling phases that were not captured by CAD data, a survey was conducted to measure the time spent on the scene, the time spent by backup units on the call, the time spent with the person arrested or taken in charge and time spent on subsequent administrative duties. Research findings suggest that CFS that require the completion of an incident report generate most of the reactive workload of patrol officers, even if they frequently constitute a minority of calls. Results also reveal that the use of supplemental data to assess the workload generated by incidents reports may allow the use of a workload-based approach in police agencies that record less than 15 000 citizen-initiated calls for service per year.

The role of emergency incident type in identifying first responders’ health exposure risks

Fire-based emergency management service (EMS) personnel are dispatched to various incidents daily, many of which have unique occupational risks. To fully understand the variability of incident types and how to best prepare and respond, an exploration of the U.S. coding system of incident types is necessary. This study uses potential exposure to SARS-CoV-2 as a case example to understand if and how coding categories for incident call types may be updated to improve data standardization and emergency response decision making. Researchers received emergency response incident data generated by three fire department computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems between March and September 2020. Each incident was labeled EMS, Fire, or Other. Of the 162,766 incidents, approximately 8.1% (n = 13,144) noted potential SARS-CoV-2 exposure within their narrative descriptions of which 86.3% were coded as EMS, 9.9% as Fire, and 3.9% as Other. To assess coding variability across incident types, researchers used the original 3-incident type variable and a new 5-incident type variable reassigned by researchers into EMS, Fire, Other, Hazmat, and Motor Vehicle. Logit regressions compared differences in potential exposure using the 3- and 5-incident type variables. When evaluating the 3-incident type variable, those responding to a Fire versus an EMS incident were 84% less likely to be associated with potential exposure to SARS-CoV-2. For the 5-incident type variable, those responding to Fire incidents were 77% less likely to be associated with a potential exposure than those responding to EMS incidents. Changes in potential exposure between the 3- and 5-incident type models show the need to understand how incident types are assigned. This demonstrates the need for data standardization to accurately categorize incident types to improve emergency preparedness and response. Results have implications for incident type coding at fire department municipality and national levels.

Automatic Vehicle Location and Computer-Aided Dispatch Systems: Design and Application Considerations

Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) systems can track transit vehicles in real time. Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) software is used to monitor transit operations and assist management of transit operations. Together with AVL systems, CAD software can be used to replace a disabled vehicle by dispatching another vehicle, or meet fluctuating travel demand by adjusting transit headways, schedules, and routes. AVL and CAD technologies can vitalize transit by directly improving on-time performance, increasing transit efficiency through providing dispatchers with location, direction and status information, and reducing operating costs through reducing dependence on transit field supervisory personnel. Direct benefits to travelers can include higher reliability of travel times and reduced stress in dealing with transit unreliability. This study explores the development, availability, and impacts of AVL/CAD technologies as reported by AVL vendors and transit implementers. The study defines the key features, functions, and performance characteristics of AVL/CAD technologies that can influence the level of benefits realized. The AVL/CAD implementation context is explored by examining where, when, and for what users these systems are being implemented. The results of two surveys are reported. To explore the availability of AVU CAD systems, technology suppliers were surveyed. Suppliers identified the features, functions, and performance of available AVUCAD technologies. To determine the extent of AVL/CAD deployment, transit operators were surveyed regarding their experiences with AVL/CAD technologies and the subsequent impacts on travelers and transit agency performance. This research provides a systematic method for evaluation of AVL/CAD systems and reports the perceptions of AVL/CAD vendors and transit implementers regarding available products and their impacts. The results suggest a need for better tools to characterize and quantify the impacts and benefits of AVU CAD systems.

Getting Proactive with Police Proactivity: The Benefits of Computer-aided Dispatch for Directing Police Resources to Areas of Need

Abstract Sherman et al. [Sherman, L. W., Williams, S., Ariel, B., et al. (2014). ‘An Integrated Theory of Hot Spots Patrol Strategy Implementing Prevention by Scaling up and Feeding Back.’ Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice30(2): 95–122.] argue that crime reductions associated with hot spot policing can be maximized by carefully managing the dosage of supplemental resources delivered. Fully achieving this goal in prior studies has been difficult due to resistance by officers, the use of atypical strategies for directing patrols to target locations, and insufficient attention to the measurement of treatment dosages. This has led to calls for process research examining the implementation of hot spot policing in law enforcement agencies. The current study represents one such effort. The computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system for a large US police department was pre-programmed with 16,200 supplemental community engagement patrols that were communicated to officers similar to emergency calls for service generated by the public. An interdisciplinary team comprised sworn officers, crime analysts, and academics designed and evaluated the intervention using an experimental design. The team found that the vast majority of patrols were delivered as scheduled (n = 12,965; 80.0%) and that planned dosage ratios between treatment conditions were achieved. Advantages of using CAD for proactive policing initiatives and benefits of police–academic partnerships are discussed.

Peripheral intravenous catheter and intraosseous device insertions reported from the 1st July 2016 to 30th June 2017 in an Australian state ambulance service: An observational study

ObjectiveTo overcome the lack of larger, population-based studies reporting the prevalence of insertion of PIVCs and IO devices, and to describe the patient-related and service-related characteristics of these devices, inserted by paramedics, in an Australian state ambulance service. MethodsA retrospective analysis of the electronic Ambulance Report Form (medical record) and Computer Aided Dispatch system from the 1st July 2016 until 30th June 2017. Results709,217 events were analysed. Of these, 20.4% involved at least one successful PIVC insertion and 0.07% involved at least one successful IO device insertion; most of the time on first attempt (89% and 86.4% respectively). Most PIVCs were inserted into the right antecubital fossa or dorsum of the right hand while IO devices were inserted into the proximal tibia. Of male patients, 21.4% received PIVCs while 19.5% of female patients received PIVCs. Very low numbers of both male and female patients received IOs (0.1%). Medical, non-traumatic presentations were the most common presentation and received the most insertions of both devices, followed by trauma presentations. Advanced Care Paramedics inserted 84.0% of PIVCs while Critical Care Paramedics inserted 94.4% of IO devices. Time treating and transporting patients generally increased with number of attempts at vascular access undertaken. ConclusionsQueensland paramedic practices relating to insertion of PIVCs, and IO devices appears consistent with documented practice internationally. Further study is required to determine whether the antecubital fossa and dorsum of the hand insertions are clinically necessary in this population as areas of flexion and distal extremities are generally to be avoided for PIVC insertion.

Examining the impact of a crime gun intelligence center.

With gun crime on the rise, efforts to curb this form of violence have captured the attention of government agencies and police departments alike. One form of such efforts is the proliferation of Crime Gun Intelligence Centers (CGICs) in police departments across the country. However, with only three non-peer-reviewed evaluations of these CGICs to date, our understanding of their effectiveness is limited. The present study aims to fill this gap by examining the impact of the Phoenix Police Department's (PPD) CGIC on clearance rates and prosecutorial outcomes for gun crimes. The data for this study come from PPD's Records Management System (RMS), computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system, impounded evidence, National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) lead data, and arrest data. Prosecutorial data were supplied by the Maricopa County Attorney's Office (MCAO). This study examined pretest and posttest differences that occurred over the study period. Difference-in-difference (DID) models were calculated to assess the impact of the CGIC on the outcome measures of interest. We found that from the year prior to the CGIC to 2years post-CGIC, NIBIN inputs increased by 115%, NIBIN leads increased by 163%, timeliness of entry (of ballistics evidence) improved with 32% of processed items entered within 24-48h in the second year of the CGIC compared with only 3% the year preceding the CGIC, and clearance rates for arrests increased significantly. These findings have implications for the continued adoption of CGIC, as well as the utility of NIBIN.

Мониторинг текущих траекторий перемещения автономных тяжёлых платформ по карьерным маршрутам горнорудных предприятий

In order to obtain information about the generated current trajectories (CT) of unmanned mining dump trucks, in the software and hardware complexes of the computer-aided dispatching system (in the external control subsystem and the autonomous control subsystem) installed on-board of an (AHP), one-dimensional (scalar) continuous signals (hereinafter converted into discrete digital ones) with a time-dependent instantaneous frequency, the so-called chirp signals, are put in accordance with the current trajectories of the AHP. This approach makes it possible to continuously monitor and manage the dynamics of current AHP trajectories with a high degree of efficiency. Note that for the purpose of information-rich and semantically transparent representation of information about the current state of the AHP CT, the chirp signals of the CT are converted into multidimensional Cohen’s class time-frequency wavelet distributions. The Wigner-Ville distribution (hereinafter referred to as the Wigner distribution) is selected as a working tool for performing computational procedures in the hardware / software module. This distribution is based on the Gabor basis wavelet functions and the wavelet matching pursuit algorithm. The choice of Gabor wavelets as the main ones is explained by their sinusoidal-like shape, since they are sinusoidal signals modulated by the Gauss window. On the other hand, the analyzed 1D-signals indicating the current position of the AHP on the route are also sinusoidal-like. This makes it possible to approximate current signals with high accuracy based on their comparison with the wavelet functions selected from the redundant wavelet dictionary. This approximation is adaptive, since it is performed on separate local fragments of the signal analyzed depending on approximating wavelets. This is the essence of the wavelet matching pursuit algorithm. The resulting wavelet series is then transformed into the Wigner time-frequency distribution, which is used to form a corresponding CT. As an example, reconstructions of time-frequency distributions (TFD) are given, corresponding to the deviation of a certain CT to the left (the trajectory signal decreases exponentially) and to the right (the CT-signal increases) from the nominal axial trajectory (NAT). The calculated scalar signal and its TFD for the AHP CT deviating to the left from NAT are also presented. In addition, on the basis of theoretical explanations the calculated linear-increasing TFD is demonstrated, corresponding to the CT-deviation to the right from NAT, and the time invariant stationary TFD characterizing the movement of AHP along the NAT line. In conclusion, based on the results obtained, it is concluded that the most appropriate ways to monitor the current trajectories of AHP movement and procedures for processing the corresponding signals are the operations implemented in computer-aided subsystems of external and autonomous control and based on such concepts as the Cohen’s class wavelet distributions, Gabor redundant dictionary of wavelet functions, the wavelet matching pursuit algorithm, and the representation of technological chirp-signals, as well as frequency-stationary signals about the current AHP trajectories represented in the wavelet medium. In this connection, the authors concluded that the procedures realizing the current monitoring of AHP movement on open pit mine routes and implementing the process of analyzing a relevant dynamic change in current trajectories, described in the article and embedded in software and hardware autonomous and external control subsystems of “Smart quarry” are adequate for performing required functions. The introduction of the principles of computer-aided controlling the unmanned mining vehicles allows you to optimize labor costs for the operation of mining equipment, reduce the cost of current work, and attract highly qualified specialists for the development and operation of innovative transport equipment.

Vehicle Routing and Scheduling of Flex-Route Transit under a Dynamic Operating Environment

To improve the reliability, responsiveness, and productivity of the flex-route transit service, this paper investigates the vehicle scheduling and routing problem under a dynamic operating environment. First, we discuss the new operating polices after the introduction of intelligent transportation systems (ITSs), including automatic vehicle location (AVL) system, mobile data terminal (MDT), and computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system. Second, a mixed integer programming (MIP) formulation is employed to solve the offline routing problem. Third, an online scheduling scheme is presented to tackle different dynamic events, such as dynamic requests, travel time fluctuations, cancellations of requests, and customer no-shows. Finally, simulation experiments based on a real-life flex-route transit service are conducted to assess the influence of different dynamic events. The results demonstrate that the proposed scheduling scheme is reliable for coping with various dynamic events, and our findings can be used to guide the policy making of flex-route transit services.

МОНИТОРИНГ ДИНАМИЧЕСКОГО СОСТОЯНИЯ АВТОНОМНЫХ ТЯЖЕЛЫХ ПЛАТФОРМ НА КАРЬЕРНЫХ МАРШРУТАХ ГОРНОРУДНЫХ ПРЕДПРИЯТИЙ

Purpose of work. The article presents the results of theoretical research and developments obtained at the Kuzbass state technical university on the implementation of current monitoring and bringing about signal processing procedures for the dynamic state of autonomous heavy platforms (AHP) on open pit mine routes. In order to obtain information about the generated current trajectories (CT) of unmanned mining dump trucks, in the software and hardware complexes of the computer-aided dispatching system (in the external control subsystem – ECSS and the autonomous control subsystem – ACSS) installed on-board of an AHP, one-dimensional (scalar) continuous signals (hereinafter converted into discrete digital ones) with a time-dependent instantaneous frequency, the so-called chirp signals, are put in accordance with the current trajectories of the AHP. Research methods. This approach makes it possible to continuously monitor and manage the dynamics of current ATP trajectories with a high degree of efficiency. Note that for the purpose of information-rich and semantically transparent representation of information about the current state of the AHP CT, the chirp signals of the CT are converted into multidimensional Cohen’s class time-frequency wavelet distributions. The Wigner-Ville distribution (hereinafter referred to as the Wigner distribution) is selected as a working tool for performing computational procedures in the hardware / software module. This distribution is based on the Gabor basis wavelet functions and the wavelet matching pursuit algorithm. The choice of Gabor wavelets as the main ones is explained by their sinusoidal-like shape, since they are sinusoidal signals modulated by the Gauss window. On the other hand, the analyzed 1D-signals indicating the current position of the AHP on the route are also sinusoidal-like. This makes it possible to approximate current signals with high accuracy based on their comparison with the wavelet functions selected from the redundant wavelet dictionary. This approximation is adaptive, since it is performed on separate local fragments of the signal analyzed depending on approximating wavelets. This is the essence of the wavelet matching pursuit algorithm. The resulting wavelet series is then transformed into the Wigner time-frequency distribution, which is used to form a corresponding CT. Research results. As an example, reconstructions of time-frequency distributions (TFD) are given, corresponding to the deviation of a certain CT to the left (the trajectory signal decreases exponentially) and to the right (the CT-signal increases) from the nominal axial trajectory (NAT). The calculated scalar signal and its TFD for the AHP CT deviating to the left from NAT are also presented. In addition, on the basis of theoretical explanations the calculated linear-increasing TFD is demonstrated, corresponding to the CT-deviation to the right from NAT, and the time invariant stationary TFD characterizing the movement of AHP along the NAT line. Сonclusion. Based on the results obtained, it is concluded that the most appropriate ways to monitor the current trajectories of AHP movement and procedures for processing the corresponding signals are the operations implemented in computer-aided subsystems of external and autonomous control and based on such concepts as the Cohen’s class wavelet distributions, Gabor redundant dictionary of wavelet functions, the wavelet matching pursuit algorithm, and the representation of technological chirp-signals, as well as frequency-stationary signals about the current AHP trajectories represented in the wavelet medium. In this connection, the authors concluded that the procedures realizing the current monitoring of AHP movement on open pit mine routes and implementing the process of analyzing a relevant dynamic change in current trajectories, described in the article and embedded in software and hardware autonomous and external control subsystems of "Smart opencast mine” are adequate for performing required functions. The introduction of the principles of computer-aided controlling the unmanned mining vehicles allows you to optimize labor costs for the operation of mining equipment, reduce the cost of current work, and attract highly qualified specialists for the development and operation of innovative transport equipment. The implementation of such prospects in mountainous regions (of a country) makes it possible to diversify the range of labor resources and, in general, contribute to the sustainable social and economic development of mountain territories.

The concept of controlling the unmanned vehicles in open pit mining

Introduction. The article presents the results of studies related to the description of the synthesis and further analysis of the dynamic behavior of unmanned vehicles (UMV) operating in coal-mining pits and other mining quarries. The urgency of the discussed study is dictated by the need to create safe and effective conditions for stripping / mining and transportation operations. This is ensured, among other things, by the operation of unmanned heavy-duty dump cars. Research aim is to develop the concept for the formation of route parameters and models of the movement dynamics of vehicles along technological routes. Methodology. The paper describes the technology for generating and processing the signals in control subsystems as parts of both the computer-aided dispatching system and the on-board autonomous ISSN 0536-1028 «Известия вузов. Горный журнал», № 8, 2020 119 control subsystem of the UMV. The methods used in the research include the study of the forms and characteristics of current trajectories (CT) in relation to a nominal axial trajectory (NAT). In this case, a current trajectory of the UMV is considered within the framework of the so-called S-frames, which are generated in the form of geolocations on a working route of the UMV from the mining face to the place of unloading and vice versa. As a variable characterizing the behavior of the UMV on a current trajectory, a 1D-signal with a time-dependent frequency is adopted, the nature of the change of which is determined by the dynamic shape of a CT with regard to the NAT. Results. Such chirp-signals, together with the wavelet transform apparatus introduced into consideration, allow in a semantically transparent and information-rich video graphic form to represent and subject to further processing the signals characterizing a certain UMV current behavior on the route. The obtained parameters of such secondary wavelet representations of the UMV current dynamics (wavelet maps) are further planned to be used in the subsystem for dynamic modal controlling the UMV movement in the opencast mine. Conclusions. The results of the research allow us to form current routes of UMVs movement according to the models based on the analytical tools accompanying the dynamics of the UMV, proposed in the work.

Investigating the Routine Dispatch Tasks Performed by Police Officers

Police officers perform a variety of physical tasks that can range from deskwork to chasing down fleeing suspects on foot. If not sufficiently prepared these tasks can lead to an increased risk of injury or task failure. The aim of this study was to profile the routine dispatch tasks performed by the Australian law enforcement officers of a state police force by frequency and duration. Participants for this study (n = 53: male n = 43, age = 33.5 ± 7.7 years, years of service = 7.2 ± 6.4 years: Female n = 10; age = 31.6 ± 9.1 years, years of service = 7.1 ± 6.1 years) were drawn from ten different police stations. Data reporting the tasks attended, their priorities, and their durations were gathered from a computer-aided dispatch system. Data from 77 shifts (3.8 ± 4.0 tasks/shift) captured 292 tasks attended (29.2 ± 17.5 task per station). ‘Check bona fides’ (checking an individual’s identification; 27%) was the most frequently occurring task followed by attending a domestic incident (14%). The longest task was attending an accident (mean = 43.50 ± 78.85 min, range 2–249 min). The results of this study suggest that police tasks are highly varied in terms of type and duration and these may differ between regions. An understanding of the dispatch tasks police officers are required to attend can inform injury mitigation and return-to-work rehabilitation practices.

Public response to community engagement patrols in high crime areas

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate an experiment to improve residents’ opinions of the police in Portland, Oregon. Officers conducted community engagement patrols (CEPs) in 60 high-crime areas. The CEPs prioritized non-investigative contacts with community members to build trust and promote positive police–community interactions in designated high-crime locations. It is hypothesized that community members living in/near intervention sites would report greater exposure to officers, more positive interactions and feel more positively about police than residents in control areas.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 90 crime hot spots were identified using crime reports and calls for service. Locations were randomized into three groups: 2 CEPs/day (n=30), 4 CEPs/day (n=30), and control (i.e. no supplemental patrols,n=30). Officers were dispatched to treatment locations via the computer-aided dispatch system for 90 consecutive days, resulting in 16,200 scheduled CEPs. Surveys were mailed to 11,760 households immediately after the intervention ended and 1,537 were returned (13.1 percent).FindingsResidents from intervention areas reported a higher number of positive police contacts, whereas contacts that residents perceived as negative did not differ between the three conditions. Community attitudes, including perceived police legitimacy, were generally unaffected by CEP dosage.Originality/valueThis paper documents the outcomes of a large-scale field experiment seeking to improve public attitudes toward police using directed CEPs in crime hot spots. Whereas the intervention succeeded in providing more opportunities for positive contact with police, attitude change may necessitate longer-term strategies.

An Intelligent Dispatch System Operating in a Partially Closed Environment

Taxicabs are very important in our daily lives and are reputed to be one of the mostly used forms of transportation. The cab dispatch system was first created to help passengers get through to taxi drivers and make it easier to book reservations. The evolution of cab dispatch system has moved from the ordinary callboxes to computer-aided dispatch system. These solutions were created to help organizations that own fleet of taxis manage and control their operations. Campuses and other partially closed environments also require these solutions but due to their high cost of implementation, they find it quite difficult to deploy and execute. In this paper, a smart dispatch system (SDS) is proposed. The system comprises of software and hardware units. The database and the android application make up the software unit while the microcontroller, the GSM module, and an android device constitute the hardware unit. The microcontroller intelligently reads and makes decisions based on the information received from the android device. The microcontroller also retrieves drivers’ details from a database where all the information about the vehicles and drivers are stored. The GSM module acts as the intermediary between the android device and the microcontroller, and enhances the communication between the microcontroller and other devices. The system makes use of a microcontroller that selects a driver and dispatches it based on the capacity of the vehicle corresponding to the number of passengers in need. Consequently, an android application is built to be used by the clients making the request process much easier. The proposed system reduces human operator intervention, gives the passengers the estimated time for the dispatched cab to arrive at their bus stops thereby satisfying the clients in terms of cost efficiency and improved quality of service.

Identification of Clinical Indicators of Opioid Overdose using innovative EMS software analytics.

ObjectiveTo develop a set of clinical indicators of opioid overdose using Emergency Medical Services (EMS) records that included data from Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), ProQA systems, Electronic Patient Care Reporting (ePCR) and Hospital Medical Records.IntroductionIn North America we experience the highest rate of drug related mortality in the world. In the US, overdose is now the leading cause of death among adults under 50. Each day more than 115 people in the United States die due to an opioid overdose. The opioid overdose national crisis is rapidly evolving due to changes in drug availability and the presence of adulterated fentanyl in some areas leading to a critical need for innovative methods to identify opioid overdoses for both surveillance and intervention purposes. As an effort to strengthen our understanding of the epidemic through surveillance of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) we have developed a set of clinical indicators that identify opioid overdose within the information provided by an Electronic Patient Care Reporting (ePCR), Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), ProQA systems and Hospital Medical Records.MethodsWe initially created a set of EMS agency specific opioid overdose filters using FirstWatch® software as part of a public health research study. Following that initial development, we have built a generic set of opioid overdose identifiers. In the initial approach we used a Zoll Data System software for ePCR and TriTech Inform CAD to define 3 set of identifiers: (T1) captured calls in which naloxone was administered and a positive clinical response was documented, (T2) had the same criteria as T1 except there was no positive response to the administration of naloxone, and (T3) consisted of calls in which one or more drug-related keywords were present within the narrative of the ePCR. Because the initial analysis was conducted in the context of a single research study, we aimed to create a more generalizable set of identifiers of opioid overdose that would function across different EMS agencies, software, and data sources. In addition, we included variables provided by Hospital Medical Records to our filtering criteria to provide a more robust and complete set of opioid overdose clinical indicators.ResultsUtilizing the EMS data sources CAD, ProQA and ePCR as well as Hospital Medical Records we have developed a set of identifiers of opioid overdose. Utilizing FirstWatch® software analytics the following variables where coded into the software: 1. CAD Data.- Chief Complaint and Opioid Overdose Keyword search; 2. ProQA.- Protocols 6, 9, 23, 31 and 32; 3. ePCR.- Primary and Secondary Impressions, Chief Complaint, Intervention of Narcan (Naloxone) Administration, Vital Signs and Opioid Overdose Keyword search; 4. Medical Records.- Patient's Admission and Discharge Diagnosis (Diagram 1). The clinical indicators obtained from this analysis where created to be utilized across different EMS specific software vendors for CAD, ProQA and ePCR systems. For the Medical Records variables a single software vendor was available to be integrated into the analysis. Nonetheless, as we used the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems codes on their 10th revision (ICD-10) our determining variable codes could be generalized to other Hospital Record system if they would become available.ConclusionsCorrectly identifying an opioid overdose can a be a challenge. Its clinical features are non-specific and bystanders fear repercussions of disclosing the nature of the 911 call. Determining the correct number of opioid overdoses requires a tailored identification process. A combination of clinical determinants and incorporation of multiple EMS data sources appears to be feasible in determining opioid overdose related 911 calls.

Developing and Implementing Next-Generation Computer-Aided Dispatch: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract The Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system is an essential element of public safety to streamline the emergency response process and enable real-time information sharing. With the introduction of Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1), there is great potential to enhance the functionalities and capabilities of the conventional CAD system. However, the transition to NG9-1-1 and the implementation of the Next Generation CAD (NGCAD) system are both challenging and very slow owing to many constraints. This paper aims to explore and discuss the current challenges and future trends that have an impact on developing and implementing NGCAD. More specifically, it highlights current technological and non-technological challenges associated with NG9-1-1 and outlines how the emerging technologies can help in resolving them. We predict that this paper will benefit all CAD system stakeholders, including public safety and industry professionals, by increasing the awareness of the NGCAD system’s evolution and the capabilities it is required to have within the context of NG9-1-1.

Can a partnership between general practitioners and ambulance services reduce conveyance to emergency care?

BackgroundEmergency services are facing increasing workload pressures, and new models of care are needed. We evaluate the impact of a service development involving a partnership between emergency ambulance crews and...

CCTV as a tool for early police intervention: Preliminary lessons from nine case studies

This study explores the prospect of utilizing CCTV as an early intervention mechanism to detect and disrupt street-level activity that can lead to violence. The analysis focuses on nine case studies in Newark, NJ, incorporating data from several sources, including video footage, computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system incident data, CAD event chronologies and face-to-face interviews with CCTV operators. The findings suggest that the benefits offered by CCTV, namely the instantaneous discovery and reporting of crime, may be rendered inconsequential by the process times associated with the differential-response policy of police dispatch. Potential methods by which police can more proactively utilize CCTV to prevent crime are discussed.

The Medical Duty Officer: An Attempt to Mitigate the Ambulance At-Hospital Interval.

IntroductionA lack of coordination between emergency medical services (EMS), emergency departments (ED) and systemwide management has contributed to extended ambulance at-hospital times at local EDs. In an effort to improve communication within the local EMS system, the Baltimore City Fire Department (BCFD) placed a medical duty officer (MDO) in the fire communications bureau. It was hypothesized that any real-time intervention suggested by the MDO would be manifested in a decrease in the EMS at-hospital time.MethodsThe MDO was implemented on November 11, 2013. A senior EMS paramedic was assigned to the position and was placed in the fire communication bureau from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week. We defined the pre-intervention period as August 2013 – October 2013 and the post-intervention period as December 2013 – February 2014. We also compared the post-intervention period to the “seasonal match control” one year earlier to adjust for seasonal variation in EMS volume. The MDO was tasked with the prospective management of city EMS resources through intensive monitoring of unit availability and hospital ED traffic. The MDO could suggest alternative transport destinations in the event of ED crowding. We collected and analyzed data from BCFD computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system for the following: ambulance response times, ambulance at-hospital interval, hospital diversion and alert status, and “suppression wait time” (defined as the total time suppression units remained on scene until ambulance arrival). The data analysis used a pre/post intervention design to examine the MDO impact on the BCFD EMS system.ResultsThere were a total of 15,567 EMS calls during the pre-intervention period, 13,921 in the post-intervention period and 14,699 in the seasonal match control period one year earlier. The average at-hospital time decreased by 1.35 minutes from pre- to post-intervention periods and 4.53 minutes from the pre- to seasonal match control, representing a statistically significant decrease in this interval. There was also a statistically significant decrease in hospital alert time (approximately 1,700 hour decrease pre- to post-intervention periods) and suppression wait time (less than one minute decrease from pre- to post- and pre- to seasonal match control periods). The decrease in ambulance response time was not statistically significant.ConclusionProactive deployment of a designated MDO was associated with a small, contemporaneous reduction in at-hospital time within an urban EMS jurisdiction. This project emphasized the importance of better communication between EMS systems and area hospitals as well as uniform reporting of variables for future iterations of this and similar projects.

Using ambulance service PCRs to understand 999 call-outs to older people with dementia

Objectives: To use local ambulance service patient care records (PCRs) at an aggregate level to study the use of emergency medical services (EMS) by older people with dementia in two English counties. To understand how and where in the PCR dementia is recorded. To measure the proportion of patients aged 75 and over who had an emergency (999) ambulance response who have dementia recorded in the PCR. To carry out a descriptive analysis of any associations with age, gender, reason for the call, time of call, residential status or call outcome. Methods: Four days of PCRs from two counties (UK) for patients aged 75 and over were reviewed and non-patient-identifiable data extracted. Data for the total number of call-outs for those days were obtained from the computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system. Results: In 4 days' records for Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire (2 304 records), over one third of call-outs (830) were to patients aged 75 and over. Data were obtained from 358 paper records. Dementia was recorded on 14.5% of records and another 7.0% recorded details suggesting dementia or cognitive impairment. Around 15% of call-outs to ≥75-year-olds were to care homes. Ambulance crews attended higher proportions of ‘older old’ people than the local population percentages of 85 to 89-year-olds and ≥90-year-olds. The most common reason (27.5%) for a call-out was a fall. Conclusions: This is the first paper to look in detail at the numbers of older people with dementia seen by emergency ambulance crews as documented in PCRs. It gives a benchmark for others looking at ambulance service data and highlights possibilities and pitfalls of using ambulance service PCR data.