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This week's theme: Technology
These are pictures of the dispatch center that I work in at American Ambulance Services in Norwich. Technologically we've got just about all of the bells & whistles that one could ever possibly want with the possible exception of a plasma TV to watch when things aren't too crazy!
From right to left in front of me at the dispatch console you can see the telephone at the lower right (a definite requirement if one is going to answer 911!); traveling up you see all of the radio buttons for our main base, back-up base, med radio, etc.; and up above that is the ITAC System which is used for Statewide emergencies and disasters (we would really rather it didn't go off!).
To the left of that is the computer screen with our current mapping system; underneath is the second monitor used for the CAD (computer-aided dispatch) system that we use (the CPU is down on the floor to my right); below that is the radio paging system and main transmit keys; and on the counter is my keyboard.
Moving further to the left is our alpha-mate paging system computer and Nextel phone and base. Directly to the left of that are our two satellite radio phones which can connect us to any hospital in the State as well as all of the dispatch centers and the Department of Public Health. Oh, and let's not forget the Easy button which - sadly - doesn't seem to work most of the time!
This is the visible technology that I deal with day in and day out as a 911 Emergency Medical Dispatcher. What you can't see behind me is the fax machine, copy machine, tape machines, shredder, and everything else in the room needed to run a dispatch center up to and including a coffee machine! The sad thing is, if this stuff goes down (which it does from time to time), I get to do everything by hand - a little something we call "manual mode" - and it can be a dispatcher's worst nightmare! Not to mention it doesn't make the IT guy real happy!
Kind of makes you wonder why I'm smiling - doesn't it?
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I would just be fascinated with your equipment, I was an instrument man in the army, a calibration technician. My job was to make that stuff give you good information,
ReplyDeletethat would be my technological nightmare!! having to learn how to use everything *lol*
ReplyDeletegreat photos & welcome to the hunt - I havent posted yet - still trying to find an interesting pic :)
Wow, very cool! Welcome to the Photohunt :)
ReplyDeleteNeat shots! It all looks so homey and vaguely familiar, with the exception of those whiz-bang flat panel monitors.
ReplyDeleteMust be an interesting job.
ReplyDeleteMine is up too. Have a great day!
That is a lot to deal with! Why are you smiling? Great take on the theme!
ReplyDeleteMy tangled technology is posted. Happy Saturday!
OK, this is giving me flashbacks I didn't want, from former jobs... *lol*
ReplyDeleteOh, I so know the feeling... though you're working with a bit more serious matters, mine were just IT-problems of different kinds.
Keep up the good work :-)
Nice pics Linda..... however I must say that if we were really to have everything we really wanted up there we would already have GPS tracking for our ambulances, we would have those cool groovy moving consoles so we could stand up and stretch out numb asses once and awhile, and yeah.....the plasma TV would be cool!!
ReplyDeleteYeap I think you beat us all in the technology dept...course that is not in your home...smile!! Thanks for stopping by Linda and have a great weekend. I bet you hate answering the phone at home!!
ReplyDeleteSandy
Wow, that is some very amazing technology! I feel safe with you on the job.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! What wonderful technology. When it goes down, I can imagine that "manual mode" must be stressful! Terrific choice for the theme.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and have a good weekend. :)
At first I thought you ran a nuclear power plant!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you know how to run all this stuff lol. It sounds like it could be a nightmare if it went down. Good post.
ReplyDeleteThis is some very important technology! Of course the most important part of the system is the human operator! Thank you for the job you do! And, thanks for letting us have a peek!
ReplyDeleteVERY interesting!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for bringing all this to our attention. High 5!!!!!
Mine's posted.
Drop by if you can.
Happy weekend.
It would take me forever to find my way around!! I have enough with my new car, lol!
ReplyDeleteGreat pics and interesting post. Happy saturday!
That is a seriously awesome setup.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely would fulfill the techno gadget need for me! :)
I need that kind of a setup myself!
I'd love to do something like that! I was an RN once-upon-a-time and loved the technology in the ICU, too.
ReplyDeleteWow, that's an impressive display!
ReplyDeleteWow, tons of technology there... looks like so much to keep up with but I am sure it gets easier as you go...
ReplyDeleteWow, definitely a great take on this week's theme. My photo is up.
ReplyDeleteWOW!! That is awesome that you're a dispatcher. You are very smart to be able to run all the equipment you do. Everyone is greatful for what you do. Thanks for the tour.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend :)
I think the technology and the people who run are both wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my site,
Frances
Wow, this is really cool! My oldest son is a fireman/paramedic/swat tech and with my new daughter in law just becoming a paramedic, I feel the connection to your blog! Great photo for the hunt! I've added you to my faves...thanks for visiting my blog today
ReplyDeleteA lot of stuff to handle! Sounds like you have a very busy job. Very interesting to see the inside of a 911 dispatch center.
ReplyDeleteStacey
That is pretty fascinating. My photo hunt appears to be rather boring now. LOL
ReplyDeleteVERY Cool!
ReplyDeleteWe can't live without technologies, at least me:-)
Thanks for stopping by my Sunflower blog.
I will Exercise for Comments!
Sunflower
That's a little too much technology to deal with all at once!:)
ReplyDeleteMines up!
Wow! Look at all those buttons!
ReplyDeleteOh, and mine's up too :)
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! Looks like the control deck of the Star Ship Enterprise! Thanks for dropping by!
ReplyDeleteHow many hands do you have!!
ReplyDeleteWell, that's way too much technology for a quiet Saturday evening. (Just kidding -- I meant "Wow!") ;-)
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the Photo Hunt.
Looks like the command station on a space ship!
ReplyDeleteGreat photo - very creative!
Happy Weekend
Mine's up too!
L
What a great set up and how wonderful for the people in your community... having this service.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visit.
wow
ReplyDeleteI don't know what else to say! You have a lot of tech stuff to deal with! Beautiful photos; thank you!
Wonderful photos for this week's theme. You have a great job. It must be fulfilling to be able to help other people.
ReplyDeleteHope you had a nice weekend.
Now thats a technology theme! i struggled to find one photo with a vaque technological theme!
ReplyDeleteClairex