As public emergencies become more frequent and complex, communication between emergency medical services (EMS) and other public safety agencies has become a necessity.

Unfortunately, cross-agency communication and coordination is easier said than done. Due to disparate systems and technology, most public safety organizations lack interoperability.

Interoperability lets you share and receive emergency information quickly and accurately to improve your community’s collective emergency response. Interoperability helps with emergencies of any size, but the larger the crisis is, the more important it is. 

Why? Because integrated systems allow for the exchange of real-time data, so that your agency can allocate resources effectively, ensure EMTs arrive prepared and make informed decisions on the ground. Keep reading to learn how interoperability can solve some of the challenges your EMS is facing.

Importance of Interoperability in Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

Interoperability is the ability to share mission-critical information in real time between separate public safety agencies. It’s achieved with CAD-to-CAD systems, which allow agencies to share and receive data, updates, and resources despite the different platforms they may operate on.

EMS benefits from interoperability as much as any public safety organization. When emergencies involve multiple jurisdictions and services, seamless communication can help the closest EMTs arrive prepared and ready to save lives.

For example, interoperability allows for the sharing of patient information among first responders, hospitals, and other healthcare providers. This rapid exchange of data provides timely and informed medical care, particularly in life-threatening situations where every second counts.

Interoperability also lets emergency services like fire, police and EMS coordinate their efforts. Cross-agency coordination is even more critical during complex emergencies like mass casualty incidents or disasters where efficient resource management and strategic planning are needed.

Finally, interoperable systems help with tracking the availability and location of emergency resources in real-time. This information lets dispatchers deploy ambulances, medical personnel, and critical care supplies more strategically. 

At the end of the day, interoperability in EMS reduces response times, improves patient outcomes and increases the efficiency of emergency operations. Unfortunately, it also comes with some challenges.

Challenges Faced by EMS in Communication and Coordination

Fragmented Systems 

One of the primary challenges in EMS is the use of fragmented systems (systems that aren’t universally compatible across different agencies). Other emergency services might use radio frequencies or digital platforms to communicate, making coordination more difficult during joint operations. Fragmentation can cause the delay of critical information, such as patient status or incident updates.

Not only is there a lack of standardized public safety technology, but many agencies have built custom solutions around their unique needs. Integrating these systems is often complicated by technical limitations and budget constraints. To overcome this challenge, agencies often have to invest in technology upgrades and standardized communication protocols.

Lack of Real-Time Information

Emergency medical services don’t often have access to real-time information, which is crucial for making smart decisions in the field. Incidents can evolve rapidly, and the lack of current data can lead to suboptimal responses. Without real-time traffic data, for example, ambulances may not take the best route, leading to delays in reaching patients or hospitals.

To address this issue, EMS agencies need advanced systems that can integrate data from various sources into a central, accessible hub. Implementing technology like CAD-to-CAD systems can improve situational awareness and decision-making during emergencies.

Multi-Agency Coordination 

Coordinating between multiple agencies, each with its own protocols and priorities, poses a significant challenge during large-scale emergencies. Unclear command structures and responsibilities can lead to confusion, misallocation of resources and slower response times.

Successful multi-agency operations depend on clear communication channels and predefined roles and protocols that are regularly rehearsed through joint drills and simulation exercises. Establishing a central command system and communication tool that all agencies recognize can lead to an improved emergency response.

Law enforcement agencies face some unique challenges to interoperability as well.

How CAD-to-CAD Solutions Improve EMS Interoperability

Interoperable systems like CentralSquare Unify let public safety agencies connect their CAD systems and share data across different systems. With this CAD-to-CAD integration, mission-critical information can be shared with all relevant agencies when an incident occurs. For example, if a major car accident occurs in an intersection between two jurisdictions, details can be sent in real-time to police, fire departments and paramedics so that all parties can coordinate effectively

CAD-to-CAD solutions remove boundary lines so public safety agencies can be focused on public safety, not jurisdiction, and provide the best response possible. When a drowning call crossed jurisdictional boundaries in the Denver metro area, South Metro Fire Rescue used CAD-to-CAD to move beyond imaginary lines. Learn how they dispatched a West Metro medic unit to help a family in crisis at Chatfield Reservoir Swim Beach.

As seen in the example above, interoperability leads to faster response times. Agencies can immediately access and act on shared data without the need for manual data entry or relay. It eliminates the need for phone calls or radio messages that can be prone to error, especially in high-stress situations or environments with poor communication signals.

CAD-to-CAD systems give dispatchers a comprehensive view of available units across all connected agencies. That way, when an incident does occur, they can send the most appropriate unit to the scene. This level of interoperability improves emergency communication and coordination, which increases public safety. 

Does your EMS agency use an outdated, homegrown or custom-built CAD system? Solutions like Unify create integrations between disparate systems so dispatchers, fire, EMS and law enforcement can operate cohesively in real-time.

The Future of EMS and Interoperable Technology

The future of emergency medical services is closely tied to advancements in interoperability. In the next few years, we can expect to see widespread adoption of CAD-to-CAD systems and cloud-based solutions that improve response times and reduce the cost of emergency responses.

Many CAD-to-CAD solutions only provide basic situational awareness – a picture of activity within your region, not true integration between all coordinating agencies. 

In contrast, CentralSquare Unify is fully integrated for true interoperability. Our industry-leading tech allows disparate systems to communicate with a familiar code set. Our solution is not proprietary to a specific CAD and is currently being used with more than 30 non-CentralSquare CAD systems.

In other words, Unify lets EMS agencies integrate their CAD systems with other coordinating agencies and a variety of community organizations – all while controlling data sharing. This empowers your local dispatchers to send the most appropriate unit across jurisdictional boundaries. With the ability to share mission-critical data to mobile devices, your EMTs can arrive on the scene as prepared as possible.

Schedule a discovery call today to learn how our CAD-to-CAD system can help your EMS achieve true interoperability, reduce response times and save money.