Dispatch Operations For calendar year 2015, the Department Communications Center dispatched 4,429 calls for emergency service and an additional 830 calls for the Cotuit Fire District. The total calls taken by Centerville-Osterville-Marstons Mills Fire Dept. Dispatch Operation was 5,259. Of the 4,429 District calls controlled by COMM personnel and apparatus: EMS calls: 3,237 Fires: 256 Service calls: 299 Other calls: 637 In addition, the Dispatch Center provides an off-hours answering point and dispatching for the COMM Water Department. Staffed by four fulltime Dispatchers APCO-certified (Association of Public Communications Officials), the Dispatch Center anticipates one retirement during the coming fiscal year. In addition, five firefighters are currently trained to serve as spare Dispatchers. The Dispatch Center also coordinates the Open Burning program for the District. New for 2016, District residents are no longer required to have a burning permit on file but must still check daily to see if burning is being allowed, based on air quality and weather conditions. More information, including daily open burning status, rules and regulations are available on COMM’s website (www.commfiredistrict.com.) Emergency Medical Services The COMM Fire Department Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division continues to serve residents and visitors of the District with a high degree of skill and professionalism. The Department currently operates with 28 EMT/Basic, 1 EMT/Advanced and 23 EMT/Paramedics out of 3 fire stations. We utilize four International/Horton Class 1 ambulances and one Advanced Life Support-equipped fire engine. 2015 saw a total of 3,237 EMS calls. This is an increase of approximately 366 EMS calls when compared to 2014. The average response time, from notification to arrival on scene, is 5 minutes or less, far exceeding the national standard. The majority of these calls were considered Advanced Life Support and required pre-hospital lifesaving intervention. • • • •
51.22% of EMS calls were in Centerville 28.39% Marstons Mills 16.47% Osterville 3.92% Mutual aid assistance to neighboring communities outside of COMM
23