Citywide Expansion of Queens Dispatch Program

Response times in Queens have dropped an average of 30 seconds for structural fires since we started a new pilot program more than two months ago - impressive results that have prompted an expansion of the program citywide. The change involves sending units as soon as we know the nature of the emergency and the location (including confirmation of the address). Once those two critical pieces of information are obtained, it gets forwarded to the appropriate unit(s) for response. When any additional information becomes available, either from the initial caller or subsequent callers, it gets relayed via apparatus radio. The pilot program has guided dispatchers and helped them focus on getting the necessary information - quickly and accurately - and immediately initiating the appropriate response...more>