The Emergency Dispatch Center onboard Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain provides personnel with a central point for all emergency and security related issues.

The emergency dispatchers are the first of first responders. The Emergency Dispatch Center mission is to respond to all calls with professionalism, integrity and compassion while efficiently dispatching security, fire and emergency medical services.

"The emergency dispatch is the communication hub for anything requiring response from our emergency services," said Lt. j.g. Raymond Bendt, manager of the Emergency Dispatch Center. "We are the central point, which is one number that anyone can call to resolve any issue. We can talk to anyone on base for any emergency or other types of immediate action needed."

Common calls at NSA Bahrain range from medical emergencies to unattended baggage reports. Other calls frequently received are not related to emergency services, and typically include NSA installation questions or phone directory related questions.

"Basically we take all types of emergency calls from NSA I and NSA II and relay that information to the proper responder," said Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Brian Morales, emergency dispatcher. "We also assist people who are calling for information; however that is not our primary function. They should use the base operator or other means for non-emergency calls."

When calling the dispatch phone number, be ready to provide key information about the event.

"We use our standard operating procedures (SOP) for calls coming in," Morales said. "We are able to provide information to assist the caller, but we also need information from them. We need to know the location and about the event or incident. It's also important to remain calm and get us as many details as possible."

Dispatch also takes calls for events off base, such as vehicle accidents and other issues at home; however the caller may be instructed to call the local authorities. Naval Security Force (NSF) Bahrain can only respond to incidents on base.

"For anyone calling in, even for off-base, we can transfer and push information out," Bendt said. "Have a good idea of what's going on and general idea of where you are. We can contact the Bahrain responders and send them to you."

Aside from phone calls, the Emergency Dispatch Center is also the hub for all operational activities around base such as power outages, security shift changes on post watches, roving patrol updates and all automated fire and motion detection sensors from base facilities.

"The mission of the Emergency Management Office is to provide a comprehensive and integrated emergency management system that coordinates installation resources to protect lives, property and the environment," said Chris Bobrowski, emergency management officer. "Our dispatchers are highly trained professionals and are always there and always ready to answer the call."

For more news from Naval Support Activity Bahrain, visit www.navy.mil/.