ROTOR WING: RGV ANGEL FLIGHT 24 HR DISPATCH # 1-877-234-1555

Regional Trauma Plan TSA-V

Communication for Multi-Agency Scene Personnel

All Counties within Trauma Service Area V are covered by enhanced 911. All Emergency calls are routed through the 911 systems and/or multi-Agency dispatchers.

Communications varies from county to county. Not all EMS systems in the TRAC utilize certified medics for dispatch. Currently four (4) of the larger 911 EMS Providers within this service area, i.e., 1-Cameron, 1-Willacy, 2-Hidalgo are staffed with Certified EMD In-House dispatchers and provide pre-arrival instructions.

A common weakness within our service area that has been observed is that some private providers operate on leased business radio frequencies making communications difficult in the event of a major disaster. All 911 EMS providers in this Trauma Service Area V have the capability to communicate with other responding EMS agencies.

TRAC-V faces difficulties found only along the Border. Radio interference from transmissions in Mexico have long been a problem. The new communications systems are designed to alleviate this problem. Additionally, numerous Federal Agencies to include the U.S. Border Patrol, Customs Service, Coast Guard, and the DEA operate in the area. There are hundreds of radios operated by these agencies, Border Patrol can communicate direct or by landline to the Emergency response agencies.

Our goal is to improve communications throughout the TRAC. Due to vast expanse of the area and the fact that the TRAC is comprised of Counties along the Border, designing a system to service the length and breadth of the area will require multiple towers and transmission sites at a very high cost. The TRAC is taking the lead in evaluating solutions to these difficult problems.

Conclusion:
Alternatives presently in place for communicating between multiple agencies:
1. Valley wide fire frequency for fire and EMS
2. Texas EMS and Hospital Frequency 155.340
3. Brownsville & Harlingen has the capability of UHF trunking PATCH
4. Cell phones

Communications between TRAC members and the office is accomplished by fax, (956)364-2662; phone, (956) 364-2022; and email (cindy@tsav.org) as well as the newly developed EMResource.