Welcome to the age of computers! Just imagine the possibilities! Writing your run report on an electronic clipboard, downloading the information at the hospital, sending it to the admin office, and having the times automatically added since the CAD system interfaces. All with a few clicks of a mouse.

I am throwing in my disclaimer now. I am not and do not pretend to be a computer expert of any kind. I simply ask around and figure things out. This information may not be 100% accurate.

If you are the type of person that deletes files "accidentally" by playing with the computer, please do not play with the MDT’s until you know what you are doing. If you do know your way around, please do not alter the settings for the sake of others who are not as computer savvy as you.

Mobile Data Terminals (MDT’s) link your unit with the dispatchers Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. It is similar to the network in your office where your computers may share a brain. When you hit a key on your keyboard, the information is sent like an email to the main computer, which in turn, changes your status on the dispatcher’s screen. This process saves valuable airtime. Please use the MDT as much as possible. They are not just a computer to play games on. Think of it as your primary radio and the 800 radio as a backup system.

Speaking of games, the computer operating system should be familiar to most people. Windows 98 (I think) should operate in the same ways as yours at home. Be gentle! Things can be erased! Again, please don’t change the settings. They are standardized for a reason. Use good judgment when to use the entertainment features of the computer. Driving and playing minesweeper do not mix.

There are two types of computers out there. The actual screen and programming should be exactly the same for both types though they do have slightly different features. The MW520 computers are located in the ambulances and are the two-piece version. The CF27, located in the zone cars, squad trucks, and EMS5 looks like a laptop. Both versions have the touch screen (which means you can touch the screen to send data) and a mouse. The mouse is a touch pad that uses the pressure of your finger to act like the ball under the "standard" mouse. The buttons to the side act like the right and left buttons on the mouse and, in case you didn’t know, if you double tap the actual pad, it acts like a click of the left mouse button. This can take some getting used because hitting bumps in the road may cause the wrong thing to be entered.

At the start of your shift, you must advise the dispatcher that you are manned. They do something at their computer to allow you to logon your unit. The computer is a blank sponge as far as unit names so if Rescue 9 is borrowing a truck from Rescue 4, just enter the "92_" number. Remember that if you are a P or ST unit, you must use the appropriate letter. For the sake of continuity, I will be using Rescue 9 for the examples.

***Always use CAPITAL letters when typing unit or status change information***

1. Type "LOGON" on blank screen
2. Transmit
3. Enter-Unit: (920, 920S, 920P, Z9, SQ9, EMS5)

When sending a message to another unit, remember that others can read what you have sent. Consider the computer as a radio that can be monitored. You can send the same message to more than one person by using the Tab key and entering more than one unit on the appropriate line.

1. "MSG" on blank screen
2. Transmit
3. Enter appropriate unit in To: section
4. Tab down to Message: section
5. Type message. Words will wrap but have to use arrow keys to go back up.
6. Transmit

***Remember to hit the Next Pau key in the top right corner on the touch screen keys to retrieve your messages as they come in.***

Case Comments:

The dispatchers cannot resend cases anymore. Please do not ask them to do so. Instead, you can easily retrieve your own case by doing the following:

F4 or

1. "QIH (unit)" on a blank screen
2. Transmit

Simply logging off at the end of your shift will unman you for the day. Simply type "LOGOFF" on a blank screen and then Transmit

To find out how many EMS calls are currently working, who is on them, and how long they have been there, type "QAI EMS" on a blank screen and then Transmit

Press List on the touch screen. Highlight what you want erased using the mouse or your finger and then press Del on the touch screen. Press Yes or No in the question box.

Alt and V at the same time will reverse the screen contrast, which may help you see the screen better.

The following commands can be used in place of the "F" keys. Make sure you use all capital letters on a blank screen. Watch your spacing and hit Transmit when ready.

In order to change the following, you must press the Fn key and the corresponding "F" key at the same time.