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380AEW Article

Emergency Communications Center provides 911 support

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. April Lapetoda
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  The ability to dial 911 in case of an emergency is a safety-net that many Americans have grown up with.

As such, many have the expectation that when an emergency happens you can make a phone call and first responders will arrive in minutes. But, what about in a deployed location, in the middle of a desert at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia?

Who do you call? Who will respond? How long will it take for help to arrive?

The efforts of the 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, and 380th Expeditionary Medical Group working in concert with each other provide that safety net to those deployed to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing.

In an emergency situation on base, anyone can call 911 from a landline, said Air Force Staff Sgt. Kyle Bailey, NCO in charge of the Emergency Communications Center for the 380 ECES.

"When a 911 call comes in the 380th Expeditionary Medical Group, Base Defense Operations Center and fire department answer," said Bailey. "The fire department will then ask if it is a police, fire or medical emergency."

If the emergency requires police response, then BDOC takes over while the fire department continues to listen and gather information.

"Our role with the ECC is to up-channel real-time information normally through an ECC rep who relays to the ECC directly to make proper changes to force protection conditions," said Air Force Staff Sgt. Ralph Bunnell, 380 ESFS BDOC primary controller. "We are able to also give instructions to the caller to help mitigate the emergency, until response teams arrive on scene," he said.

If the call is a fire or medical emergency, the fire department continues to gather information and dispatch necessary crews.

"After we dispatch, we have 60 seconds to gather information and to get the crews out," said Bailey. "The crews then have 60 seconds to leave the station - no matter what they were doing when the notification was given. Depending on the type of call, we will remain on the line with the caller until crews arrive."

Medical personnel also dispatch with firefighters at this location.

Medical personnel are prepositioned with fire department personnel near the flightline, said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Vashon Bynum, NCOIC of Medical Operations for the 380 EMDG.

"We respond to all of their emergencies as they could turn into a medical emergency," he said. "We also treat firefighters, as necessary, as they could become victim to smoke inhalation."

Once on the scene, the emergency response crews establish command and relay information to the Emergency Communications Center so they may contact further responders, as necessary. The center becomes a relay point for the incident commander by continuing to gather any other information or support the incident commander needs.

The Emergency Communications Center averages 30 to 50 emergency calls per month, said Bailey. Emergency calls include: fire alarm activations, hazardous material spills, medical emergencies, in-flight emergencies, and vehicle accidents.

"Our shining moment is someone's worst moment," said Bailey. "If we're calm and collected, then the caller is able to calm down and give us a better description about the emergency so that we can respond appropriately."

For the duration of their 12-hour shift, Emergency Communications Center dispatchers are confined to their desk with computers, phones, radios and scores of checklists that prepare them to gather and assist in every possible emergency response situation the Air Force has prepared for.

"Even if you're sitting in your chair all day and have a big emergency, you'll still leave here with your head hurting because it's all mental," said Bailey.

Though the job is mentally exhausting, the firefighters have both love and passion for the job.

"I love what I do," said Air Force Airman 1st Class Harvey Cooper, an ECC dispatcher deployed to the 380 ECES. "From my point of view, it's very high-speed concentration of knowledge," said Cooper. "I have to stay a step ahead of the person controlling the scene so that I can dispatch any additional support needed. To get this type of experience so early on in my career is a remarkable opportunity."