Best Practices

Using the Lobby-Level Conference Room Projector at PSHQ

MCP has updated the audio/visual setup in the PSHQ main conference room. Below is some information you may want.

Misc. Notes:

  • There is only one microphone in the room by default and it is located on the podium at the front of the room. If you know you will need more microphones, please contact Larry Kees (Larry.Kees@montgomerycountymd.gov), the POL Telecom Specialist. Please give him several days of lead time with your request.

Setting Up Your Laptop/Notebook

  • Place your laptop or notebook computer on the podium at the front of the room. Note the cords attached to the podium:
    • Blue cable: Network access
    • USB cable: Audio from your computer to the white speakers on the wall flanking the projector screen
    • HDMI cable: Video from your computer to the projector
  • Plug all three cords into your computer.

Using the A/V Control Box

  • Press the On button at the top-left corner of the A/V control box and ensure that the Laptop button is backlit, as well. When both buttons are backlit and your computer is on, the image from your computer should show on the screen.
  • Adjust the volume to the white speakers by pressing the two volume buttons.
  • Ignore all of the other buttons.

PSHQ Conf Room A/V Box

Changing the Resolution on Your eMEDS Toughbook

The toughbooks offer two resolutions for you to choose. 800×600 will show the buttons and drop-down menu items as larger; 1024×768 will show those items as slightly smaller but will give you more to see on the screen without having to scroll. Here is a video that shows you how to change the resolution.

Note: Someone else may have already changed your Toughbook’s resolution and you only have the two from which to choose. Many thanks to Jason Giza for providing the video.

Adding Seats in the Line-Up Module of the DOC Log

This TechTip is for DOCs and personnel assigned to the DOC office.

  • Search for the unit on which you need to add seats.
  • Click the Edit link for the unit.
  • Add the new seat’s information in the row of empty fields at the bottom of the list, consistent with the other entries. (Note: The riding position may contain three character strings, such as E734 DR E1, all sensible within your experience.)
  • Ensure that the battalion is correct for the whole unit. If the battalion number changed (related to the glitch described above) then you would need to edit and update each seat on the unit.

Finding and Repairing a Unit on the Line-Up Module of the DOC Log

This TechTip is for DOCs and personnel assignmed to the DOC office.

Due to a system glitch, a unit will default automatically to Battalion One anytime someone makes an admin-level change to its record (i.e., the same process used when adding a unit). Those who do not pay attention to changes resulting from this glitch may be unable to find the unit in their battalions (other than the B1 personnel, of course). IT personnel are aware of the glitch and are working to resolve it.

  • Click the Assignment Lookup link in the blue header.

    Assignment Lookup Button

  • Choose Portable Radio Assignments from the drop-down menu and click the View Records button.
  • Place your cursor in the Search Unit text box and type the name of the unit you need to find (e.g., E734). Note: The unit name is not case-sensitive.
  • Click the Search Unit button.
  • Make any necessary changes. The most common change comes as a result of the glitch which causes the battalion number to change (as described above).
  • Click the Update link on the far-right side of the row.

Adding Units to the Battalion Line-Up Module of the DOC Log

As a DOC or other admin assignmed to the DOC office, you will occasionally need to add units to the DOC Log.

  • Click the Assignment Lookup link in the blue header.
  • Choose Portable Radio Assignments from the drop-down menu and click the View Records
  • Scroll to the bottom of the resulting list. You will see a row of empty fields.
  • Fill in the data for a position on the unit you are adding, consistent with the others in the list.
  • Use N/A for the two radio ID fields unless a radio is permanently assigned to the riding position.
  • Remember to check the box on the right side of the row to cause the riding position (and unit, if it’s the first riding position you have added for the unit) to display on the DOC Log.
  • Repeat as needed for other riding positions.

Saving and Printing the Line-Up Module of the DOC Log

You have saving printing capabilities, important in case the network goes down. As to whether you print or not is your decision; the file will go into an Excel spreadsheet for you. On screen, the file looks fine but printing may be difficult since the data does not fit smoothly on one page (even with column size changes and margin tweaks).

If you are going to print, you should not attempt to print through the web browser; go through Excel. Printing or not, Excel gives you other advantages as well (such as using formatting to mark the ALS provider on a paramedic engine).

  • Find and click the Export to Excel button, located just to the right of the View Assignments button.

    View and Export Buttons

 

  • Wait for the file to download. If you are using Internet Explorer, you may be asked whether to Open or Save the file. The choice is up to you; if you open the document, the computer will launch Microsoft Excel for you and load the document. If you choose to save the document, you will need to identify a location (e.g., your Windows desktop) and then you’ll need to open the file in Excel.

    If you are using Chrome or Firefox, the file will download automatically (likely to the system’s default Downloads folder) and you will need to run the file or open it in Excel. If Windows prompts you to note that the file format and extension do not match, click Yes.

Note: If you would like basic Excel training to learn about formatting text, adjusting columns, changing page orientation and changing margins, please contact Jeff Feiertag by e-mail.

Documenting a Patient Assist

Scenario: You are dispatched on a patient assist call. You arrive at the patient’s home and help him off the floor. Should you do a report?

From the EMS brass:

“While we’re still considering whether this should be a report, it’s a safer bet right now to assume you should do a report. When you arrive and inquire about the patient to the patient, you’re essentially starting an assessment. Also, if you help him up and then three days later he has pain, also saying he tried to tell you and you weren’t interested, it’s difficult for us to determine what happened or didn’t happen if there is not report.”

In short, it looks like you should do a report until/unless you hear otherwise from headquarters.