ST. MARYS COUNTY GOVERNMENT COMMISSIONERS OF ST.

MARYS COUNTY
James R. Guy, President
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE Michael. L. Hewitt, Commissioner
Tony Jones, Public Information Officer Tom Jarboe, Commissioner
SMCG TV 95 Station Manager Todd B. Morgan, Commissioner
Media Inquiries: 301-475-4200 ext. *1342 or pio@stmarysmd.com John E. OConnor, Commissioner
______________________________________________________________________

NEWS RELEASE for Immediate Release

No. 2017 224
October 26, 2017 5:30 p.m.
Emergency Services and Technology Offers Response
Regarding October 24 Radio System Operations
Leonardtown, MD The St. Marys County Department of Emergency Services and Technology has
received a number of inquiries regarding the emergency communications radio system on the morning
of October 24. The department has completed an initial investigation.

At approximately 0415 hours on October 24, 2017 Emergency Communications Dispatchers received
a radio communication from a deputy. Staff responded to the unit however no response confirming
the transmission was received. Police dispatchers noticed when attempting to key up on the console
there was a delay that is not usually there. Other sheriffs units attempted to radio in and were unable
to hear us answering them back. Sheriffs Office Headquarters was able to acknowledge their
messages.

The computer system alerted dispatchers to several minor system alarms. Immediately we
transitioned to our portable backup radios and were able to communicate with all field units. Contact
was made with the Radio Tech and the Deputy Director Steve Walker. Tests pages were performed
which confirmed an issue with paging. At 0434, the 9-1-1 center received a call for a Residential Fire
Alarm this call was dispatched with paging tones broadcasted successfully via the back-up paging
system.

A staff member was sent to the back-up 9-1-1 center and confirmed that the consoles at this site were
also impacted.

At approximately 0550 the Radio Technician arrived at the 9-1-1 Center and began troubleshooting.
Several tests with audio and page tones were performed with successful tones transmitted to Forestry
and Fire Company 9s page tones from the console. The Technician advised to restart our console
radios. At this time dispatching from the consoles was resumed.

At 0635 a CPR in Progress call was received at our 9-1-1 Center. Communications received a call
regarding a 2 week old male unresponsive and not breathing. Dispatchers initiated EMD and began
assisting the caller and immediately began alerting the FIRE/EMS response assignment. St. Marys
County utilizes multiple systems to alert our First Responders of a Call for Service Page Tones, Text
Messages, and Active 9-1-1 notices. The Alerts were broadcasted at 0636 to Fire Company 3, EMS
Station 39, and Advance Life Support. At 0637 St. Marys County Sheriff and Maryland State Police
are simulcast dispatched. Brush3 reports enroute at 0639. Safe3 reports enroute at 0640. Medic3 and
Sheriffs Deputy report enroute at 0641. In accordance with dispatching protocol at 0642 the Duty
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St. Marys County Government will be responsive and accountable to the countys citizens; provide high quality, cost effective and efficient
services; preserve the countys environment, heritage and rural character and foster opportunities for present and future generations
 Ambulance (Station 39) is challenged (second attempt). At 0642 Station 39 responds that they are
waiting for Primary Care (PC) dispatchers contact Pax River requesting Paramedic Ambulance from
the base. Sheriff Unit reports on location at 0643 and alerts are broadcasted to Station 38, Company 6
Ambulance, Ambulance 139 and tones resounded for EMS Station 39 Duty Crew. Safety 3 arrives on
scene and begins CPR at 0643. A139(BLS) and A399 report enroute at 0645. A399 arrived on-scene
at 0649. *time stamps below

While on the phone, dispatch confirmed that the child was not breathing and began giving the caller
CPR instructions for an infant. The caller advised another occupant of the residence was performing
CPR. Using EMD (Emergency Medical Dispatch), the dispatcher went over the instructions with the
caller to make sure they were performing CPR correctly. While being assisted with Pre Arrival
Instructions, the caller terminated the phone call. Immediate attempts to regain communication with
the residence where unsuccessful.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of this infant. Our community works very
hard to provide the best response possible to every call for help received at the 9-1-1 center.
Dispatchers, Police, Fire, and EMS constantly train and are always seeking ways to improve our
response. We continually conduct comprehensive reviews of policies and system performance.
*(Time Stamps)

0635 911 call from 21627 Liberty Street. Call lasted 2:39 sec
0636 Dispatched Co3, Duty Ambulance St39, ALS
0637 Simulcast Sheriff units on Sheriff Main
0637 Simulcast MSP units on MSP Channel
0638 Co3 awaiting a driver on E32 Portable
0638 Safety 3B to the station
0639 Brush 3 responding
0640 Safety 3B to the scene
0641 Medic 3 to the scene
0641 Sheriff unit P270 in area attempting to locate
0642 Challenge Duty Ambulance to respond
0642 St 39 awaiting PC
0642 CS Martin call NDW Dispatch to request Paramedic Ambulance off of Pax River
0643 Sheriff units on location
0643 Station 38, Co6 Ambulance, Ambulance 139 alerted to call. Resound tones for 39 Duty Crew
0643 Safety 3 on scene
0643 Safety 3 with CPR
0645 A139 responding BLS only
0645 A399 responding
0646 Station 39 and Ambulance Co6 Cancelled
0648 A139 placed in service due to their location
0649 A399 on scene
0651 Co3 units ready
0651 A399 Priority 1 to MSMH
0651 CS Martin notified MSMH ER of incoming patient
0656 Medic 3 on A399 in route to MSMH Priority 1 CPR
0710 Patent arrived at MSMH

P.O. BOX 653 CHESAPEAKE BUILDING 41770 BALDRIDGE STREET, LEONARDTOWN, MD 20650
PHONE 301.475.4200 X1342 FAX 301.475.8491 www.stmarysmd.com