Welcome to the third issue of the Annals of Emergency Dispatch and Response (AEDR) since its inauguration in March-April 2013. To better serve our readers, the main focus in this AEDR issue is case studies.
Today, in addition to one perspectives article, we treat you to extremely–enlightening case studies–they comprise interesting, difficult, or unusual cases which emergency dispatchers, paramedics, or other dispatch professionals have encountered in their line of duty. The few that were accepted for publication in this journal issue are exemplary. It is our belief that the materials presented will be invaluable to many agencies in enhancing dispatch processes in their areas of jurisdiction.
As I had earlier illustrated in the inaugural issue of AEDR, the initial logistics to set up the Annals was not a trivial event—it involved many man-hours, as well as many other pertinent resources—and in many occasions burning the midnight oil to ensure tight deadlines were met. All these processes demanded collective effort and responsibility of a cohesive team. The time has now come to reorganize the editorial board leadership—to ignite fresh thoughts—to steer this great ship to the next level. This infrastructural change has been accomplished, and from the next issue, Isabel Gardett, Ph.D, who has been serving as the Deputy Editor of AEDR for nearly one year, will now take over the mantle as the new Editor-in-Chief.
It has been a great honor and profound joy to help establish AEDR, together with the help of the editorial teams and many other stakeholders at the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED). This was a great opportunity for me, and I am extremely grateful for the chance accorded. It is my sincere belief that the fundamental foundational blocks or pillars to support significant growth of AEDR have been laid. It is your journal; help it grow to greater heights of prosperity. I look forward to continue to make significant contributions to the AEDR’s growth in my new capacity as the Editor-in-Chief Emeritus—together we will continue to create and maintain meaning change in prehospital dispatch and research.
As the legendary Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi once said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” You and I have this exemplary opportunity, offered through the establishment of AEDR to continue to study and publish our research. AEDR provides opportunities for everyone in the fields of emergency dispatch, emergency response, pre-arrival medicine, and emergency nurse telephone triage and non-ambulance referral. I salute you and thank you all for being faithful readers of and/or contributors to AEDR.
Christopher H.O. Olola, PhD
Editor-in-chief