Stop non-essential EMS calls on police radio
The Issue
In our community, the police radio channel is becoming increasingly overwhelmed by non-essential emergency medical service information (EMS) calls that has nothing to do with Police. This issue has escalated to the point where it poses significant risks to the safety and efficiency of our police officers. With the radio channel congested by these excessive and often unnecessary calls, our officers struggle to communicate real emergencies and coordinate their responses effectively.
The EMS calls that are dispatched over the police radio could be for the following reasons: gynecological issues, low blood sugar, sick person, headaches, body pains (any kind), controlled bleeding (minor), etc.
In the month of August so far (28 days), there have been over 1,000 non-essential EMS calls broadcasted over the police radio that did NOT need to be dispatched on the police channel. That is on average 35-36 descriptive EMS calls a day unnecessarily dispatched over the police radio.
Police radios are vital tools that facilitate rapid communication, coordination, and response in various emergency situations. However, when non-essential EMS calls bombard the police channel unnecessarily, it diminishes their effectiveness. Officers cannot afford to have their communications interrupted or delayed constantly— lives are quite literally at stake!
Implementing this change only requires for the removal or modification of this policy under the guidelines of the Clark County Indiana Central Dispatch Center and those who implement policy and procedures . A common sense policy would allow only essential EMS calls to be dispatched where police officers assistance is needed or warranted. The change in policy would ensure that police officers have unobstructed lines of communication for emergency situations, significantly enhancing public safety.
I have attempted for many years to speak to several high ranking members (names left out) associated with our public safety and communications to implement these changes in policy and have been unsuccessful. I have been informed that this policy was put into effect because officers have inquired in the past where EMS was responding to.
It was also brought to my attention the staff was told the reason behind dispatching EMS runs to the police is because they deserve to know where EMS is going.
It has also been brought to my attention that no other surrounding county operates under this policy.
By signing this petition, you are urging our local government, emergency service coordinators and board members to urgently address this critical issue. Let us work together to optimize common sense in our emergency response systems, communications, and protect those who serve and protect us.
Sign the petition now to contribute to this vital change.
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The Issue
In our community, the police radio channel is becoming increasingly overwhelmed by non-essential emergency medical service information (EMS) calls that has nothing to do with Police. This issue has escalated to the point where it poses significant risks to the safety and efficiency of our police officers. With the radio channel congested by these excessive and often unnecessary calls, our officers struggle to communicate real emergencies and coordinate their responses effectively.
The EMS calls that are dispatched over the police radio could be for the following reasons: gynecological issues, low blood sugar, sick person, headaches, body pains (any kind), controlled bleeding (minor), etc.
In the month of August so far (28 days), there have been over 1,000 non-essential EMS calls broadcasted over the police radio that did NOT need to be dispatched on the police channel. That is on average 35-36 descriptive EMS calls a day unnecessarily dispatched over the police radio.
Police radios are vital tools that facilitate rapid communication, coordination, and response in various emergency situations. However, when non-essential EMS calls bombard the police channel unnecessarily, it diminishes their effectiveness. Officers cannot afford to have their communications interrupted or delayed constantly— lives are quite literally at stake!
Implementing this change only requires for the removal or modification of this policy under the guidelines of the Clark County Indiana Central Dispatch Center and those who implement policy and procedures . A common sense policy would allow only essential EMS calls to be dispatched where police officers assistance is needed or warranted. The change in policy would ensure that police officers have unobstructed lines of communication for emergency situations, significantly enhancing public safety.
I have attempted for many years to speak to several high ranking members (names left out) associated with our public safety and communications to implement these changes in policy and have been unsuccessful. I have been informed that this policy was put into effect because officers have inquired in the past where EMS was responding to.
It was also brought to my attention the staff was told the reason behind dispatching EMS runs to the police is because they deserve to know where EMS is going.
It has also been brought to my attention that no other surrounding county operates under this policy.
By signing this petition, you are urging our local government, emergency service coordinators and board members to urgently address this critical issue. Let us work together to optimize common sense in our emergency response systems, communications, and protect those who serve and protect us.
Sign the petition now to contribute to this vital change.
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on August 27, 2026