DOTHAN: 10:39 PM Dothan 911 dispatched a motor vehicle accident with critical injuries at South Oates and Ross Clark Circle.
Dothan Police, Dothan Fire and Pilcher Ambulance responded to the scene. Initially reported as a three vehicle accident, on the arrival of emergency units it was determined to be a two vehicle accident. One patient was entrapped in the vehicle.
Dothan Fire Engine Company 2, Lakewood, and Dothan Fire Truck 3, Whatley Drive, Battalion Chief Braswell responded. Am additional Pilcher Ambulance was requested, non emergency to respond.
10:50 PM Scene Command reported that extrication was complete.
Unless there are internal injuries the injury severity is downgraded from initial dispatch. Several patients were transported to Southeast Health.
Dothan Police are in charge of the accident investigation.
The citizens of Dothan would be very happy with emergency services if you heard and saw the precision of the emergency services in calls such as this. From the call hitting the 911 system, the communications staff and the information they obtain from the caller, to dispatching police – fire and EMS. All agencies coordination from dispatch providing the best information available to them to roll what is needed. Law Enforcement coordinating response, checking the patients, patrol units closing roads and re-routing traffic. Dothan Fire Engine Companies, Truck companies for extrication and where to set up on arrival as they are rolling to the scene. Pilcher Ambulance rolling one, then two ambulances. The emergency crews in contact with medical control and the hospitals knowing what is incoming. The Battalion Chief handling command so there is management to the emergency scene for fire and EMS. Dothan Police Patrol Command staff on scene coordinating the safety of the emergency crews, the injured, the scene is protected and traffic continues to flow.
While I am not medical, but from a recent documentary I saw, first order of business is stabilize the patient, then treat the injuries. So the communication from EMS to medical control is very important to allow the hospitals to have ready and waiting for the incoming patients. Today, the field EMS of fire and ambulance are the primary medical providers on the initial contact with those injured. The training and wisdom they have in the field, a lot of physicians could not work in. The difference is the physician domain is in a controlled setting of the hospital. The fire and EMS domain is unknown on every call. The fire and EMS have to adapt on the fly often times in treatment and extrication of the injured.
And all of this works like a well oiled sewing machine. And when it works as designed, I get excited.
