AVL Can Delay Response Times

The implementation of Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) for dispatch has been an operational step forward for many fire departments and communities. AVL is utilized by many CAD systems and PSAPS to identify fire and EMS units' proximity to emergencies to ensure that the closest unit(s) will be dispatched. Before the advent and deployment of AVL, many communities' emergency responses were sub-optimal because the closest units were either unknown or were not utilized. While AVL is a giant leap forward for agencies that didn't utilize it previously, it is not the final answer, and we need to be cautious with its use. AVL dispatching can have significant shortcomings because it usually can only "see" apparatus and doesn't consider personnel staffing. In practice, AVL dispatching can, at times, cause delayed responses rather than improving responses. But dispatching the closest fire apparatus or EMS unit is better than sending one further, right? It may be. But only if the staffing of the closer unit is adequate and equal. How about the scenario when the "closest" agency takes many additional minutes to mobilize because volunteer staff responds from home or work while the other unit, further away, is staffed and ready to roll immediately? 

The solution is for fire departments, EMS agencies, local governments, and dispatch centers to maintain real-time awareness of on-station staffing and personnel responses. When the staffing is sufficient for an immediate response, we can calculate the response and arrival times before the first tone is sent. But with the unstaffed station, we cannot evaluate response and arrival times until sufficient personnel have mobilized, and even then, only if we have a system in place that shows responder ETA in real-time. 

AVL is beneficial when deployed in conjunction with station staffing data or personnel response data. We need to ensure we are doing everything we can to maximize resource deployment and minimize response times. When we produce faster response times, the incident outcomes will improve. When we execute speedier response times, the responders are operating more effectively and more safely.