Emergency medical dispatch services reduced Published June 26, 2013 By 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Beginning July 7, the base fire department will reduce emergency medical dispatch as a result of furlough implementation. Currently, eight dispatchers work 12-hour shifts and manage all incoming 911 calls, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Because each employee will now have to take a furlough day, there will only be one dispatcher per 12-hour shift. "During this period, the one alarm room operator on duty will still make the call to Albuquerque Ambulance Services, but will not be available to stay on the phone with the caller to provide them with emergency medical dispatch protocol information since they will need to hang up and dispatch the fire and ambulance response to the scene," said Abe Simpkins, Kirtland fire chief. Simpkins is confident even with the reduction of personnel on shift, the dispatchers will be able to manage all incoming 911 calls.