2024 Annual Report - Flipbook - Page 35
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, RESPONSE & SAFETY
HOT & COLD DISPATCH
In 2024, the Department of Emergency Services began the "Hot and Cold Dispatch" policy. In
the context of emergency dispatch, "hot" dispatch refers to sending responders with lights and
sirens, while "cold" dispatch means dispatching responders without lights and sirens, adhering
to regular traffic laws. This differentiation helps prioritize responses to serious emergencies
while minimizing risks to both responders and the public.
HOT DISPATCH refers to responders, such as ambu-
COLD DISPATCH refers to responders sent to the scene
lances, sent to the scene with lights and sirens activated,
allowing them to navigate traffic quickly and reach the
location as soon as possible. This is typically reserved for
life-threatening or time-sensitive situations.
without lights and sirens, adhering to normal traffic rules
and flow. This approach is used for incidents that are less
critical and do not require immediate attention.
Dispatchers use TRIAGE SYSTEMS to evaluate the urgency
and severity of calls, determining whether a "hot" or "cold"
response is necessary.
Your emergency
call is received
by a 9-1-1
Specialist.
Benefits of cold dispatch center around reducing the risks
associated with high-speed driving and minimizing potential accidents, which can be a significant benefit of using
cold responses for less critical situations.
EMERGENT, LIFE
THREATENING AND CRITICAL
LIGHTS & SIRENS ON
URGENT, BUT NOT LIFE
THREATENING OR CRITICAL
LIGHTS & SIRENS OFF
The 9-1-1 Specialist
will dispatch an
ambulance while asking
questions to determine
the type of dispatch.
Charles County Government Annual Report • 2024
All patients receive
appropriate medical attention
and may be transported to a
medical facility.
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