Floyd County introduces Emergency Medical Dispatching

Citizens of Floyd County will benefit from a significant enhancement to emergency medical services with the implementation of the Emergency Medical Dispatching (EMD) program starting this week.

The Floyd County Sheriff's Office announced the addition of EMD on Monday. Officials explained that this new initiative enables 911 dispatchers to provide critical medical instructions over the phone, bridging the gap between an emergency call and the arrival of ambulance crews.

Previously, when a citizen called 911 for medical assistance, dispatchers could only collect information and dispatch an ambulance without providing medical advice. With EMD, dispatchers are now trained and certified to deliver life-saving instructions to callers during medical emergencies. These instructions can include guidance for performing CPR, controlling bleeding, or assisting with childbirth when delivery is imminent.

“The implementation of Emergency Medical Dispatching marks an exciting new chapter for Floyd County,” said Sheriff Brian Craig. “By providing essential medical guidance over the phone, we can help save lives and improve care during those critical minutes before EMS teams arrive.”

This added capability is expected to play an instrumental role in improving patient outcomes until first responders arrive.

Citizens should be aware that dispatchers may stay on the line longer to ask additional questions about the patient’s condition. This does not delay the ambulance response. While one dispatcher remains on the phone with the caller, another dispatcher is simultaneously processing the call and dispatching an ambulance. It is vital for callers to remain on the line to ensure they receive the most appropriate assistance.