The rest he drove on his own, “back when gas was cheap.”Īs a 20-year-old in Cecil County’s dispatch center two floors below ground, he simultaneously handled communications for the fire department, ambulance services, the Elkton, Md. That geography knowledge didn’t come from staring at maps - he has also worked as a sales representative for a bakery and drove many New Castle County roads in the process. “That’s why I like working this channel because not only do I know these people - I know their tendencies and I’m pretty good with geography.” He knows three-quarters of the crews out on the road at any given time. “It keeps me connected to know what’s going on out there.” “When I’m not working in here, I’m working on an ambulance,” he said. He still has his finger on the pulse of the county’s emergency response community. The son of an assistant fire chief, Farrell caught the bug listening to radios when he was 12, and by the time he was 18, he was hitchhiking to calls when he didn’t have use of the family car. “Collect her prescriptions, keep her comfortable until the ambulance arrives.” “Is she breathing? Is she a normal color or changing color?” He gives each question a second shot before moving on, steady and focused on trying to pull out any useful information. “Help is on the way, tell me what happened.” I just want them to answer ‘yes,’ ‘no,’ or ‘I don’t know.’ It’s OK to not know.” “Callers are extremely stressed in many cases. “I’m trying to get the best answers I can, even if it’s a lie.” “I have to mask the emotion in my voice,” he said. everything has slowed down from his perspective. After decades in the business - Farrell just marked 50 years at New Castle County following three years with his native Cecil County, Md. Farrell distills a chaotic narrative from the caller into a briefing.Īll of this while listening to the rest of the dispatch center out of his right ear and scanning an enormous set of monitors displaying a flood of information. An ambulance is already on the way, so whateer he can draw out of the caller helps the paramedics come in with a game plan. His voice isn’t exactly “sing-songy” while he responds to calls from people experiencing the most stressful moments of their lives, but he speaks a rhythm into his questions and answers that lets callers know that he’s going to be steady and reliable regardless of what they’re facing. emergency dispatch center, John Farrell exudes serenity. Since its launch in 2012, the WEA system been used more than 40,000 times to warn the public about dangerous weather, missing children, and other critical situations – all through alerts on compatible cell phones and other mobile devices.No matter what’s happening in the New Castle County, Del. Wireless Emergency Alerts - The Wireless Emergency Alerts system is an essential part of America's emergency preparedness. Prepare for diasters with a customizable emergency kit checklist, emergency family plan, and reminders. Locate open emergency shelters and disaster recovery centers in your area where you can talk to a FEMA representative in person. Learn emergency safety tips for over 20 types of disasters, including fires, flooding, hurricanes, snowstorms, tornadoes, volcanoes and more. Share real-time notifications with loved ones via text, email and social media. National Weather Services - Provide weather, water, and climate data, forecasts and warnings for the protection of life and property and enhancement of the national economy.ĭownload the FEMA app - Receive real-time alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five locations nationwide. Sign up for the Delco Alert System - provides local emergency alerts via text message, emails and voice calls.
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