Since joining the Tellico Village Volunteer Fire Department, I have been asked many questions covering a wide range of subjects.
For example, people often ask: Does the sight of blood freak you out? How can you go back to sleep after witnessing a major incident? Does it bother you when you lose a patient? I usually answer that the training we receive conditions us for the unexpected and prepares us for action.
I recently had someone ask me why we didn’t respond to a call when their neighbor was having issues. After checking the messages on my cellphone, I responded that we had not been “toned out,” meaning that we had not been notified by the 911 Center. I promised my friend that I would find out what happened.
It turns out that several times a year Villagers tell us that they called 911 and that an ambulance responded, but the Tellico Village fire/rescue team did not. On average, we hear about three to five of these type of calls each year. We immediately investigate each of these incidents to ensure that communications between us and the 911 center is working properly. The 911 center assures us that the system works and that the Tellico Village Volunteer Fire Department is notified of all medical emergencies.
So, why do Villagers not get a response from us?
It’s possible that callers do not make it clear that the medical situation is an emergency medical event. When you dial 911 for EMS services, there are various classifications for E-911 dispatch. Level 1 and 2 are for immediate priority dispatch. That means that both Priority Ambulance and the fire department will respond with lights and sirens. A patient with a Level 1 or 2 call would have a life-threatening situation, i.e., heart attack, stroke, major bleed, etc.
A non-emergency call is classified as Priority Level 3, i.e., routine not life-threatening ambulance transport. For Level 3 calls, Priority Ambulance alone will respond. They will not use lights and sirens. Typical response time is about 12 minutes. You should note that ambulance arrival time is dependent upon availability of units and may be delayed. In non-emergencies, the fire department is not notified.
What does all of this mean? Do not assume that a call to the 911 center means that the fire department will always be dispatched. If you need the Tellico Village first responders, tell the 911 dispatcher that it is a medical emergency. It helps when you communicate what caused the injury or medical issue.
Rest assured that when called, we will respond to all emergencies on average within 3-4 minutes, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, including all holidays.
Stay safe, and call 911 when you need us.
