Ypsilanti emergency dispatchers move to countywide operation
Huron Valley Ambulance is taking over fire dispatching services for Ypsilanti.
Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com
The City of Ypsilanti’s fire and police departments officially handed over dispatching duties Friday in an effort to improve emergency response times and save the city money.
The city is contracting with Huron Valley Ambulance for fire dispatching and the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department for police dispatching in a move that’s expected to save the cash-strapped city $89,000.
Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton said the savings translate into one more firefighter or police officer remaining on the street. He called that one of the dispatch consolidation’s greatest benefits.
“If it helps the city in terms of the saving on public safety personnel, then it’s the right thing to do,” he said.
Although some residents expressed concern emergency response times could slow, Ypsilanti Fire Chief Jon Ichesco said the consolidation will improve operations and cut down on confusion over which department should be responding to a call.
“It’s one of the rare things that all chiefs agree is a good thing,” he said. “Our boundaries here are just so intertwined.”
A recent AnnArbor.com article had one such example when a call to report a house fire at 1208 Washtenaw Avenue in Ypsilanti landed in Ann Arbor’s dispatch center. Ann Arbor Fire Department trucks were dispatched to the same address in Ann Arbor.
By the time Ann Arbor firefighters discovered the home was in Ypsilanti and alerted the Ypsilanti Fire Department, the house was destroyed.
“Now, you’ll see a reduction in the frequency of something like that happening,” Ichesco said.
What causes an emergency call to travel to the wrong dispatch center has to do with where a person is standing in relation to the direction of his or her carrier’s cell phone tower antennas.
Officials say calls can bounce off cell phone towers to the wrong dispatch center.
Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com
The emergency signal will travel to the tower and bounce back to whichever dispatch center is in the direction that the face of the antennae is pointing.
“It’s not uncommon for this to happen to people on cell calls - particularly in Washtenaw County," HVA Chief Operating Officer Gerald Zapolnik said. “You could be in a number of different jurisdictions when you make a cellular 911 call.”
Officials suspect the caller at 1208 Washtenaw Avenue was standing west of the carrier’s tower in Ypsilanti, so the signal traveled east, bounced off the face of a tower’s antennae pointing toward Ann Arbor, and landed at that dispatch center.
In a demonstration of how the towers work, HVA officials placed a cell phone call from their Pittsfield Township headquarters southwest of State Street and I-94. The call bounced off a tower near the property’s northeast corner and landed at the Washtenaw County dispatch center instead of the Pittsfield Township Department of Public Safety's dispatch center.
“That’s the perfect example,” Zapolnik said. “You just don’t know.”
As cell phone technology improves and most phones come equipped with GPS, dispatchers’ jobs are made slightly easier. Coordinates of callers’ phones pop up on the dispatchers’ computers and are quickly entered into Google Maps. Callers’ locations are then displayed on the dispatchers’ monitors.
“New technology strips what we have in place faster than we can get it in place,” Ichesco said. “Now you are in a world with technology changing so fast you almost have to have a countywide dispatch center.”
Clayton said police services and response times will improve under the new arrangement.
“We can easily pick up the volume of 911 calls without declining service to the residents of Ypsilanti,” Clayton said. “The county will also see the same level of service. It’s not a workload that we can’t handle.”
Currently, the county dispatches out of its headquarters on Hogback Road, but a plan to share a dispatch center - but not operations - with the Ann Arbor Police Department is being finalized.
Zapolnik said another advantage to consolidating services lies in cutting down on medical-related runs in which fire trucks aren’t needed.
He estimates 70 percent to 80 percent of Ypsilanti’s runs are medical related. Sending an unnecessary truck costs time and manpower.
“It saves me time,” Ichesco said. “It allows me to have people ready to go at all times.”
The city will receive a bill of roughly $16.50 for each call HVA fields.
“That’s our largest value - where we can reduce their amount of unnecessary runs,” Clayton said.
Clayton said the consolidation of services is part of a larger countywide trend to pull resources as the economy continues to struggle. He commended the local departments for their “courage” in giving up control of their dispatch centers.
“We’re all struggling over the same things - limited resources,” he said. “I don’t care where our dispatch center is located. If it’s best for the residents than that’s what we should be doing.”
Tom Perkins is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.
Comments
Tim
Wed, Jan 27, 2010 : 8:42 p.m.
Red I should have added.. I didnt see the rush to make the move either. As far as I know, Fire is not going to be cut. Timmy
Tim
Wed, Jan 27, 2010 : 8:21 p.m.
Reddog, I was hoping you could read between the lines that I might have been one of those employees or perhaps a relative. So I might just be privy to a little more than you think. I really didnt want to go further than that, if that makes sense. I have read all of the articles since this whole thing started in Sept. I wasnt trying to be condecending but rather voicing my frustration about what I have read since then. Timmy
911girl
Wed, Jan 27, 2010 : 1:35 p.m.
Clara you stated: For every minute that passes without CPR and defibrillation, the chances of survival decrease by 710%. This is true that is why the HVA dispatchers are EMD's they are trained to give the caller live saving instructions therefor, you get an instant 1st responder with the patient when they call 911. reddog801 you stated :We are the only County that I know of in 50 states that dispatches for fire departments. This is not true the days of people calling the fire department direct are gone, dispatchers have the "big" picture they know where the units are and send the approprieate unit. All over the country dispatch centers are being combined due to the cost savings. Now that they will be dispatcing for the FD I bet they will take EFD which will allow the callers to get instructions on what to do to stay safe until the FD arrives. It will also give more information to the unit responding. Most EFD'd keep track of the time the firefighters have been in a building allowing them to tell you when the 20 min. mark has come. They will be listening to your traffic, they will know when additional help is needed, they will be able to contact power and any other agency you made need on scene. No one likes change but you will see that the dispatchers are professional and they care about you. They are part of the team and they will only put your best interest first. They will protect you no matter what department patch you wear and they will protect the citizens as well!
Captain Magnificent
Wed, Jan 27, 2010 : 1:37 a.m.
This is absurd- Why in the world are Ypsilanti's dispatchers moving to a countrywide operation? My guess- it's another case of know-nothing Obama trying to grow the government even bigger. I've had about enough of this garbage!
reddog801
Tue, Jan 26, 2010 : 11:46 p.m.
Timmy, The first thing you should do is go back and read the articles here on MLIVE.com about the proposed merger between the City of Ypsilanti PD dispatchers and WCSD. They indeed did get a pay raise just by becoming County employee's. It jumped from like 41-43k to 51k for each of the 4 dispatchers. Not bad for a County that says they are struggling and that they have to cut everywhere...where did that money come from and who is footing the bill?? I agree with you on the cell phones, you never know just who is going to get the call, but again it is up to the dispatcher to make sure that they are asking what city or township and most importantly cross streets. I have been a dispatcher, I know how difficult it is and I know that if the dispatcher does his/her job then the call is properly dispatched. A majority of the citizens of any city or township are not aware of how their Fire department operates. They don't understand Cat 1, Cat 2 and Cat 3 Etc....they just know that if they call 911 and report someone having a heart attack they get fire and EMS. Folks should educate themselves. Ypsilanti City and Ypsilanti Township are two different departments and two different categories. Mutual aid is always there, but it is my opinion that a department should be able to provide fire protection and EMS protection to their area's. If they are a Fire&Rescue department then they should have the staff for it and the resources. Depending on M/A all the time is not a good thing. Kinda wears out the welcome. I'm not so sure why you are thinking that you are the end all here. Its not that someone needs you to explain the pay scales and response times. Everyone seen the article that YPD dispatchers were getting a raise to go to WCSD. In my opinion it was a premature move that should not have happened right away. The city of Ypsilanti was being influenced by Sheriff Clayton and this should have been held off on. However, what is done is done and we cannot do anything but go with it. What about the 6 YFD firefighters that are losing their jobs? Regional fire district? Come on! How can you have a regional fire district when a typical response from and Ann Arbor Engine Company takes longer to get here than YTFD or even Pittsfield???? YFD's Fire Chief has lost it. Instead of merging with AAFD, why did he not work as hard to merge with YTFD?? Would that not have made more sense? People getting paid a lot of money to make stupid decisions. Please don't make it look like everyone here is ignorant. Some of us are privy to the facts and know quite a bit about how the system works and how it should work but does not because of stupid people making the decisions.
Tim
Mon, Jan 25, 2010 : 7:53 p.m.
Really, I should stop reading the comments after some of the articles. It is amazing that people do not have a greater understanding of their respective police and fire agencies and how it all works. Half of the time, 911 is used as an information number instead of a true emergency line. Less than 15 percent of those calls are actual emergencies. First, the city dispatchers are now County employees. I dont know where the 51,000 amount comes from because it is certainly not true. The pay rates are different due to the current years of service. It is not 4 x 51.000 and I will say it is considerably less than that number. Most citizens do not know if they live in the City or the Township and that has to be sorted out by dispatch. The reason that 911 cell calls are so screwy is because of the cell providers, they have not kept up their end of the deal by providing enhanced information from the subscribers. The current information is the cell tower that the phone reaches and the direction where the cell phone is in respect to that tower. A majority of those go to the County first, Pittsfield has a few and of course Ann Arbor. The cell caller has to provide their location as well as the need for service. As far as Cat 2 responses, there are five major areas... Auto crash with injuries, chest pains, difficulty breathing, unknown where immediate loss of life is possible, and cardiac arrest. HVA can request fire services on other calls but those are the major 5. I wont get into PSAPs and funding but your monthly phone bill ( cell and landline) have a little notation for E-911. Those fees go to a fund which pays some of the dispatching costs. Much of that money is used to pay for advanced training classes as well as paying overtime costs to the trainee and whomever covers the vacancy Since the FD changed to cat 2 about 4 years ago, they were not responding with Hva to every call, thus the runs were reduced significantly. Run totals are lower for that fact. It is not even close to how it was say five or six years ago. Obviously, YFD responses are limited to the City unless Mutual aid is requested. YTFD responds to township runs and so on. I wish there was more of an effort made to educate our citizens. I think it would be more beneficial than the current Police Academy for citizens. It would cut down on some of the speculation and frankly insights and opinions that are just mis-informed and incorrect. If you would like to leave your email, I have no problem explaining the system, pay scale, response times and things along those lines. Timmy
Really?
Sun, Jan 24, 2010 : 5:18 p.m.
Back when Ann Arbor closed a fire station and took 2 trucks out of service, we tried to let people know that we were needed on medical calls. At the time, the head of HVA made a public statement that HVA didn't need the assistance of any fire departments, and to prove that, calls were supposed to go down. They did for a brief time, and then shot back up again. When HVA doesn't have a truck in the area, they have to supply some type of response to adhere to their contract with a particular city. That's when they use the FD to show they 'provided a service'. Medics are good, but don't be blind. HVA has a monopoly and they are very political. Many FD's have tried to go ALS. This GUARANTEES that a truck in where it's supposed to be. HVA doesn't always have a truck at it's 'stop points'. It also brings in a revenue stream for cash straped cities. Now before you go saying that the FD shouldn't be making a profit off of this, let me finish with the presentation that's been made to multiple city officials... HVA will charge for ALS transport even if you need a basic ride to the hospital. FD's would charge basic rates for basic service, and advanced rates for advanced life support (pushing drugs, cardiac intervention, etc). Also, there would be a reduced rate for residents. So if you call now, you're getting charged a huge medical transport bill. If it was the FD, it would be significantly reduced since you're already a tax payer. HVA provides an ok service. No better or worse than any FD would in the area. But make no mistake, they have a monopoly. A monopoly in any business isn't good for anyone but those who control it. Don't get me wrong, I'm not bashing any medics. They have a job to do just like anyone. It's the management that makes these decisions.
BenWoodruff
Sun, Jan 24, 2010 : 9:31 a.m.
Reddog801, Regarding category 2 runs, I'll bet if you check with three of the local full-time departments who have "reduced" their response level regarding EMS runs, you will find no or a limited reduction in run totals.
reddog801
Sat, Jan 23, 2010 : 11:48 p.m.
It's called Category 2 Fire Response. Basically put the fire department has made a decision to only respond to LIFE THREATENING EMERGENCIES and of coarse any "fire type" calls. This is suppose to keep the fire department from rolling on any type of EMS call and being canceled moments after responding. HVA does not sit in the city. They are in close proximity to the city and their response is very good for the city. I'm still at a loss as to why this is a cost savings for the city? HVA is charging them to do their dispatching. County is charging them to dispatch. YPD dispatchers were making 41,000 and now the County is paying them 51,000(4 dispatchers). I thought the County was broke? All these cuts and yet this still can occur. Fire departments need to stay with fire departments, EMS with EMS and Police with police. We are the only County that I know of in 50 states that dispatches for fire departments. If HVA did not dispatch for FD's, they would have been out a long time ago. I believe in competition. HVA will not agree with that and I am not speaking out against their medics, they are some of the best but HVA has a monopoly and it is wrong. It's because of HVA's fear mongering that Washtenaw County Fire Departments(Ypsilanti City included) have not started providing their own Paramedic Services. I believe its vitally important that FD's be able to provide Paramedic Services to their Cities,Villages,Townships. It works elsewhere, but not here in this County because it's all about Power and Control.
Isanopinion
Sat, Jan 23, 2010 : 10:19 p.m.
The fire department will still be responding to medical calls where they are needed. Basically they are coming to life threatening emergency calls or where there is a potential that someone is having a life threatening emergency. They are not responding to the people who are calling for basically just a ride to the hospital. If you are having a "heart attack" or another potentially life threatening emergency, you will get the fire dept and HVA. If you call because you have a sore throat you will not get the fire department.
clara
Sat, Jan 23, 2010 : 9:47 p.m.
My point was that, with fire no longer responding to medical emergencies, response times will at least double based on HVA sitting 'point' South of I-94. If they are off in Belleville then the response time will be longer. If I have a heart attack, the steps are to call 9-1-1 and, if needed, begin CPR and use an AED. You better go back to the AHA web site and do some more research. The term heart attack is a general term I used. Your own math shows that HVA would be 6 minutes from Ypsi fire. That is an additional 6 minutes! I stated "(I know the time would normally be less)" but I realize it was easier for you to ignore that. I doubt the halving the time since they do not travel that far above the speed limit and stop at all red lights until it is safe to proceed. They do not blast through like they do in the movies. The fire department response time would not be half, because they are no longer being sent. The is the problem! No fire response now for medical emergencies! Poor survivability from Sudden Cardiac Arrest is directly related to the lack of bystander CPR and the delay in the use of an Automated External Defibrillator. Taking the fire department out of medical responses increases the risk to the citizens. Even HVA's web site notes the need for fire to respond. Now where are the ambulances when not sitting point south of I-94? Are they stationed anywhere near the City? Or do we have to wait for one from Belleville, Canton or Ann Arbor or one finishing off dropping off a transfer at St. Joe's? There is lots of additional information needed but, what little we have all points to less protection/services for the citizens. From the American Heart Assiciation: Each year, more than 294,000 Americans experience sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) outside of a hospital. On average in the U.S., just 7.9 % of SCA victims survive. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and early defibrillation with an automated external defibrillator (AED) more than double a victims chance of survival. For every minute that passes without CPR and defibrillation, the chances of survival decrease by 710%.
clara
Sat, Jan 23, 2010 : 12:23 p.m.
@krc from that location on the South side of I-94 to my house in the City of Ypsilanti, map quest says it is 5 miles and 13 minutes away (I know the time would normally be less). From Ypsilanti Fire, it says 1.6 miles and 6 minutes. For every one minute use of an AED is delayed there is a 10% reduction in survivability. Not good odds.
krc
Sat, Jan 23, 2010 : 10:58 a.m.
Would someone from HVA inform us about where your 'points' are in relation to the two cities? I don't mean tell us where they are exactly. I just don't think ambulances are ten miles away when they are dispatched. I live off Ellsworth and I see dozens of HVA ambulances every time I'm out. They used to station one at the little park just over the 94 bridge in Ypsi, and in the Maple Village parking lot at Jackson and Maple in A2. And many in between.
clara
Sat, Jan 23, 2010 : 10:25 a.m.
From the Huron Valley Ambulance web site: Firefighters important members of our team Your local firefighters are valuable members of our EMS team. Firefighters in our communities are medically trained and respond to medical emergencies to help save lives. Due to the many fire stations in our coverage area, firefighters often arrive first. They assess the situation, stabilize life-threatening injuries, and provide CPR and defibrillation when necessary. They work with our paramedics at the scene, drive the ambulance or help in the patient compartment when someone is in critical condition.
clara
Sat, Jan 23, 2010 : 9:48 a.m.
I did not realize this move included ending fire responding to medical calls. What is HVA's dispatch time to the City of Ypsilanti? Do they/will they start stationing an ambulance closer to the City now? If I have a heart attack, I want an AED to get to me as soon as possible. If I have to wait for HVA to show up from one of their 'points' 10 miles away, I could be toast by then. Another question. If I call 9-1-1 from my cell phone (or land line) in the City of Ypsilanti. Who gets the call? Then does that location need to decide if this is medical or police or fire? Then what? They transfer the call to whichever responding authority should get the call? Why do we have a system that goes through so many steps? Why can't one place (Sheriff CENTRAL dispatch) take all 9-1-1 calls and dispatch all appropriate services (HVA, fire, police)?