STATter 911

Without the fact being out I can't say whether or not the OUC was at fault on this incident, but I can tell you that on a day to day basis we don't rely on them to be able to effectly do their job and I am not the only one who believes that the incompetence at the OUC is at somepoint going to lead to a fire department LODD.
 

I know the initial dispatch was 1 eng. and 1 ambo for an MVA.
 

One thing to look at is the fact that OUC dispatched three different assignments to the same location without realizing what the call really was about. The first dispatch was a engine and ambulance for a "collision".
 

The OUC has somewhat of a tremendous job to do. Now before anyone starts the usual criticism and vile bias/sterotype opinions let's first think about what was the 911 information received by OUC and/or what specific Information did metro OCC advise the OUC. The Tapes will bring out what was said, what information may or maynot have been given. The folks at OUC do pretty much a decent job. To the individual who said day to day they meaning the DCFD field operations personnel donot rely on OUC to do their job. That is without a doubt not a very intelligent thing to say. First of all who in the field ops can honestly proclaim that what is said on 911 lines or the Direct Lines to Metro OCC is always accurate. Obviously the term collision was mentioned. If Metro OCC said collision then OUC should have picked up on that. Obviously if OCC is reporting a collision it's involving a Metro Train. How much specific information was given to OUC? Was there mention of a rear ended collision with one moving Train into a stopped Train.
Fact be known it was during afternoon rush hour times the fact that the Train "s" were probably Loaded with Passengers. All in all the OUC made the Dispatch upon the given information. One fact to be kept in everyone's mindset "The OUC Isnot an Answering Service" Anyone who thinks/believes otherwise is not being totally honest with themselves and the DCFD. The DCFD has a reputation of being a Highly Trained Professional Fire and EMS Dept. The actual day to day Delivery Service to the Taxpayers in the District of Columbia begins with the OUC. You may be a very good well Trained Firefighter/Paramedic, however if youdonot know where you're going, what information has been received by OUC and Dispatch of Apparatus/Personnel is in progress, you will be an uninformed group of people. Decisions by Command Staff may need to be rethought, units reponding may need to be redeployed to accomplish the primary concern/objective of 911/OCC Information received by OUC.
Yes there are probably inconsistencies within OUC but so are there inconsistencies within the field operations also. There is a need obviously to enhance job knowledge Fire and EMS Basic Body of Knowledge and awareness to handle 911 emergencies. The OUC if not already doing somight consider in service Training with specific Call Types and how to receive/Dispatch 911 emergencies which may entail the possibility
of a disaster. In this specific call yes it was a major mass Casualty incident. Who among us can say or criticize why, who, OUC people may have handled this incident differently? The OUC is just as important as any other DCFD Division, ie; Haz Mat, Special Operations, EMS, etc. The
Apparatus Transfer entity is/should be handled by the on duty Shift Supervisor in OUC. With all due respect to Field Operations Command Officers they cannot know or make themselves aware of what units may/should be redeployed to provide coverage within the city. Not to forget the fact there may be other incidents also in progress which also become significant DCFD Fire and EMS serious calls. The OUC does have the responsibility to convey any pertinent information received such as entrapment on a Fire call or an EMS call. This necessary info again will allow the responding BFC or FF/Deputy to rethink Priorities in assigning units to do their job.

Thank You