Starting next Tuesday, Dec. 16, when you call DeWitt County 911 for a medical emergency, a new protocol will be in place for dispatchers to follow.

On the WHOW Morning Show Thursday, DeWitt County CENCOM Coordinator, Karen Clevenger, told the Hart Media Group that this program will give dispatchers detailed questions and instructions to follow.

For those who have called 911 in the past for a medical emergency, Clevenger indicates the process is going to be a little different, as dispatchers will be asking more questions about the situation and taking notes to pass along to the first responders.

While the dispatcher is taking in a lot of information from the caller, Clevenger adds that they will also be able to give instructions, again, depending on the type of emergency they are responding to.

According to Clevenger, all of the questions and information being gathered by dispatchers moving forward is going to help the paramedics responding to those emergencies.

This new protocol goes live on Tuesday, Dec. 16. Clevenger believes it will provide much more improved service for DeWitt County residents and better prepare the first responders.