Tech Talk: Emergency Tech | Video

Jerame Novak | 6/28/2012

Technology has changed the way emergency calls are handled.

"We`re actually on the second, our second, CAD system now and it`s really reduced the amount of manual monitoring that needs to be done," said Mike Dannenfelzer, communications manager for the Bismarck-Burleigh Communications Center.

"Or they hook it into the computer system and write their reports and everything`s done electronically," said Metro Ambulance Operations Manager Dan Schaefer.

When a call comes in, dispatchers can request information like address or location of the phone.

"When we get the phone number, we actually query for the data to get that sent to us. And that happens virtually instantaneously, to our knowledge," Dannenfelzer said.

However, even with GPS technology, you should never assume that emergency responders know exactly where you are.

"If they don`t have a GPS chip in their phone, we may not get a location on that cell phone at all. So, big thing for us is to be able to talk with somebody and find out what their location is regardless," Dannenfelzer said.

Dispatch gets the information, creates a report and then sends it to responders over the radio and in other ways.

"At the same time, through the CAD system, actually push that information out to our computers that are on board each ambulance that`s responding in the city," Schaefer said.

In the future, that information could be a lot more detailed.

"In due time, there`s going to be overlays that are gonna show you things to avoid, such as construction and different things like that," Schaefer said.

Even with the added help, Schaefer says it`s still important for drivers to know their territory.

The CAD system also categorizes calls so responders know who to send.

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