CHEMS Unveils Advanced Dispatch Center
1/29/2017
SCRANTON, Pa. (Jan. 30, 2017) -- Commonwealth Health Emergency Medical Services today unveiled a new dispatch center designed to enhance operational efficiencies and patient care by creating more accurate deployment times.
The dispatch center is located at CHEMS headquarters on Remington Avenue. CHEMS converted space previously used for training purposes to create the new dispatch center which has doubled in size to approximately 1,800 square feet. The training area was relocated to Keyser Avenue.
The center’s new software program streamlines emergency call taking and dispatching and allows for the review of data to improve response times in these ways:
- Vehicles may be positioned appropriately to respond to emergencies and arrive more quickly;
- Dispatchers can handle routine transport calls while preparing for emergencies that may be dispatched;
- Allows for the review of data to improve response times and to better position trucks to arrive on the scene sooner while maintain the safety of the public;
- Allows for advancement to improve operations in all aspects including road safety systems;
CHEMS serves five counties and allows responders to have trucks on standby in all areas.
CHEMS is not a 911 center but is often dispatched from a county’s 911 center and takes direct calls for patient transport from patients and facilities in non-emergent situations.
Attending the open house and ribbon cutting are, from left: Gary McIntyre, CHEMS operations director; Joseph Moran, operations manager; Dawn Moran, dispatch supervisor; Scranton Mayor William L. Courtright; Justin Davis, chief executive officer of CHEMS, Moses Taylor Hospital and Regional Hospital of Scranton; and John Campos, executive director of EMS of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Also in attendance were Patrick DeSarno, superintendent, Scranton Fire Department, and Carl Graziano, Chief of Police, Scranton.
