Emergency dispatch started using a revamped state-of-the-art system since last January. But on Monday, they say they have worked out most of the kinks and are ready to show it off to the public.

The system works by allowing dispatchers to send out crews while staying on the phone with the caller, leaving the technical dispatching to a recorded voice.

“They’re sending their calls out in 32 seconds. The national standard is to do it in less than one minute. Not all dispatch centers can meet the less than one minute,” says Ogden Fire Department’s deputy chief Chad Tucker.

In an emergency every second counts, which is why this system is designed to get firefighters in their vehicles and out the door as soon as possible.

“That means we’re going to arrive on scene with medical patients faster; arrive on scenes with fires faster,” Tucker says.

The system is designed to allow emergency crews to know what unit is responding by lighting up specific units on a colored light board. It will also display the location of the emergency in a scrolling marquee.

The new system is a big difference from what first responders are used to. It has taken time to adjust, but after nearly a year since it rolled out, crews have adapted.

The new system cost just over a million dollars.

Read the story here.

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