NCJ Number
67539
Date Published
Unknown
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THE MEDICAL EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS OF ILLINOIS (MERCI) CAN EASE CITIZEN ENTRY INTO THE EMERGENCY SYSTEM AND REDUCE RESPONSE TIME OF EMERGENCY UNITS.
Abstract
THE ILLINOIS STATE EMERGENCY MEDICAL PROGRAM WAS INITIATED WITH SELECTED HOSPITALS STATEWIDE TO RESPOND TO CITIZEN MEDICAL EMERGENCIES. A COORDINATED STATEWIDE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM, MERCI, WAS ADDED IN 1972. THE MERCI NETWORK INCLUDES CITIZEN INPUT AND RESPONSE, AND HOSPITAL, AMBULANCE, FIRE, POLICE, AND COMMUNICATIONS CONTROL CENTER INPUT. MERCI IS USED FOR DAY-TO-DAY EMERGENCIES BUT CAN ALSO HANDLE MAJOR DISASTERS. CITIZEN INPUT OCCURS THROUGH THE 911 EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER; EVERY ILLINOIS JURIDICTION IS REQUIRED BY 1985 TO HAVE A 911 PUBLIC SAFETY ANSWERING POINT AND CENTRAL DISPATCH FOR FIRE, POLICE, AND MEDICAL EMERGENCIES. IDEALLY, ANY TELEPHONE IN THE COUNTRY SHOULD BE EQUIPPED TO HANDLE CALLS; A CENTRAL OPERATOR MIGHT SWITCH CALLS TO THE 911 OPERATOR IN THEIR AREA. CALLS COULD BE LOCATED BY COMPUTER AND APPROPRIATE ASSISTANCE THEREBY DISPATCHED. ALL 911 OPERATORS SHOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO HANDLE TELEPHONE CRISIS INTERVENTION AND GIVE MEDICAL ADVICE, OR CALL ON AN AVAILABLE DOCTOR. CITIZEN BAND RADIO WILL SHORTLY BE ADDED TO MERCI. DISCUSSION OF AMBULANCE COMMUNICATIONS AND THEIR RADIO FREQUENCIES ARE INCLUDED. MERCI NOW HAS 54 HOSPITAL HIGH FREQUENCY RADIO BASE STATIONS, AS WELL AS COMMUNICATIONS TRAINING FOR HOSPITAL PERSONNEL. MAPS, FOOTNOTES, AND MERCI INFORMATION SOURCES ARE INCLUDED. (PAP)