Yesterday, I unveiled the Reliable and Effective 911 Dispatch Amendment Act of 2023, which would ensure faster and more accurate 911 dispatch by transferring fire and emergency medical calls to dedicated triage lines staffed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services. In addition to improving emergency response, the protocol would also allow 911 dispatchers to focus on police calls, making for more effective and faster dispatch in response to those calls, too.
This bill would re-establish and make permanent a pilot that the Office of Unified Communications and FEMS undertook in 2019 that proved effective at more accurately triaging calls.
“When a person calls 911 – whether that’s for a medical emergency, fire or crime — they need to know that their call will be answered, that the dispatcher understands what’s going on, and that they will receive help quickly,” Nadeau said. “This is one of the most critical things District government must get right to improve public safety.
Councilmembers Trayon White, Sr., Janeese Lewis George, and Zachary Parker have signed onto this legislation so far.
The bill, along with another that would give police more tools in solving homicides, will be formally introduced Friday, after all councilmembers have had a chance to sign on as co-introducers.
