Communications Fire Officer Program

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2021

The Henrico County Division of Fire adopted the Communications Fire Officer program in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing Paramedic Fire Officers, the division was able to ask more in-depth questions to citizens and thus make more informed decisions. This was paramount because it allowed the division to scale resources when appropriate, and directly aided in maintaining a healthy workforce and minimizing PPE usage. This “virtual first responder” places a Paramedic Fire Officer with a citizen in that critical time between 911 activation and dispatch and the moment first response units arrive. This time is capitalized on to ask more informed decisions, give specific advice, and provide a direct liaison between the citizen and responding units while never delaying service.