San Ramon Valley Fire Protection Dispatch Center Earns Award of Excellence

The San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District’s 911 Communications Center has once again been recognized as an Emergency Medical Dispatch Center of Excellence. 

In 1996, the District's communications center became the eighth center in the world to be awarded this prestigious honor. Accredited status has been continuously maintained since that time, with the most recent reaccreditation being awarded again this year.

“We are pleased to announce that the Board of Accreditation has voted unanimously to approve San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District for this important recognition,” said Carlyn Page, Associate Director of International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED).

The Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS) is the world’s most widely-used 911 pre-arrival instruction and dispatch-life-support system.  With scripted telephone instructions for CPR, airway obstruction relief, hemorrhage control and childbirth assistance, the MPDS has been credited with helping save countless lives. 

Emergency Medical Dispatching has been part of the standard operating procedures for San Ramon Valley Fire since 1993. With the adoption of this system, Dispatchers have provided pre-arrival instructions, via phone, to thousands of callers.  

“From talking someone through how to give chest compressions to walking a caller through how to isolate the spine of a fall victim, our Dispatchers have provided lifesaving instruction to many residents over the years,” said Denise Pangelinan, the District’s Communication Center Manager.  “Our medical dispatching can mean the difference between life and death.”

Earning re-accreditation was voluntary and involved completing a detailed self-study and analysis. It also requires monthly audits for quality assurance during the three year span. This accomplishment demonstrates to the community and to the world that San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District is compliant with all international practice standards for Emergency Medical Dispatch.

The District's communications center consists of a Communications Center Manager and three Dispatchers on duty 24 hours a day. Dispatchers provide pre-arrival instruction to responding emergency personnel utilizing the Medical Priority Dispatch System which is integrated into the District's Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system.

For more information please visit www.firedepartment.org or www.emergencydispatch.org. 

The San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District is an internationally-accredited special district that provides all-risk fire, rescue and emergency medical services to the communities of Alamo, Blackhawk, the Town of Danville, Diablo, the City of San Ramon, the southern area of Morgan Territory and the Tassajara Valley, in Northern California (Contra Costa County). The District’s service area encompasses approximately 155 square miles and serves a population of 170,000.