In Small Counties, Dispatcher-Led CPR Instruction Leaves Call Centers Short-Staffed

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) -- A bill that would require 9-1-1 dispatchers in Wisconsin to receive training on how to walk callers through CPR administration could put a strain on short-staffed call centers. Several counties across the state like Dane, Columbia and Rock already require their dispatchers to receive CPR training. Director of Dane County 911, John Dejung, says in 2017, dispatchers saved eleven lives by giving CPR information over the phone. "We know, from our own experience, that it truly can be life saving," Dejung said. He spoke in favor of the proposal at a Senate public hearing on Tuesday. Smaller counties say while they know the training would help save lives, administering it in their county would be costly. Iowa County Sheriff Steve Michek says their dispatch center is typically run by just one call taker. "We do the best we can with limited amount of resources that we have and that limited resources would be dispatchers sitting in dispatch chairs," Sheriff Michek said. Read more...
Source: JEMS Patient Care - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Tags: News Videos Cardiac & Resuscitation Communications Dispatch Source Type: news