‘Many factors affect EMS response time’

I am compelled to respond to Ms. Rose DLG. Molanda’s letter (Delay In EMS Response) to the editor, published on Nov. 29, 2006, in the [I]Saipan Tribune[/I].

As one of the EMS responders, I feel that Ms. Molanda has blown this incident out of proportion. Her letter seems to imply that our Emergency Medical Services response times are unnecessarily delayed. She’s become too critical of this incident that she even warned or alarmed residents of Kagman of the type of response times they will be facing if they call for help. And in regards to the horror stories that she mentioned, I believe these are nothing more than “picnic table” gossip. The fact of the matter is these incidents are not isolated within the Kagman communities.

It may be noteworthy for Ms. Molanda and the general public to know that there are only three ambulances (medic units) servicing Saipan. These units are strategically placed in Susupe, Garapan, and Kagman to cut the emergency response times within these locations. However, if the Kagman medic unit is already responding to an emergency call in Kagman and another call within the same location is received, the nearest and/or the next available ambulance will be dispatched to the location. Obviously, if the medic unit is responding from Susupe the response time will be greater than what everyone would hope for.

Clearly, she had failed to understand and consider that there are many factors affecting our emergency response times. The most common factors are the way the caller relays information and direction to our emergency dispatchers, the density of the population that we are responding to, the lack of street signs on supposedly assigned streets, the emotional stage or mood of the caller, and most importantly, the lack of ambulances for each precinct, just to name a few. These are factors that are beyond the control of the EMS system.

As stated, this are some of the factors affecting our response times and not excuses to delay our responses! We in the EMS system are professionally trained pre-hospital health care providers. We know and understand that every minute counts!

Having said that and in the interest of public education, I offer the following tips when calling for emergency medical assistance:

– Know and learn to recognize a true emergency: Do not call for ambulance and then refuse to be transported to the CHC or even be treated on scene;

– If one exists, then call 911 or the Main Fire Station in Susupe at 664-9003/4;

– When the emergency dispatcher answer your call, be sure to stay calm and give the following information:

– Where to find the person needing care: Use significant or prominent landmarks, such as schools, stores, etc…to give general directions to your location;

– Who is hurt: Is it an infant, a child, an adult or an elderly. This information will assist the responding EMT in preparing for appropriate interventions;

– What happened: Is there trauma (physical force) involved or is it non-trauma;

– Be sure to provide a call back number in case you need to be called back;

– After giving the necessary information, stay on the phone unless you are told to hang up by the dispatcher. Most of the dispatchers at the Fire Stations are trained Emergency Medical Technicians. These people can help guide you to assist whoever are in need while you await the arrival of the ambulance.

Thank you and may you all have a safe and prosperous holiday!