Emergency Response Criteria for Dispatch

chauhan12

Member
5
Can some one here help me with this:
I would like you to create some clear criteria on what the after-hours response should be for incidents/accidents (damage, injury, fuel spill, etc.)
Dispatch does not have clear criteria on what is a minor incident and what is a major incident. They have to use their judgement on whether to involve someone from management or not. When is it necessary to call some one from safety after hours to get involved. Even if someone here has something as a policy and can share it would be appreciated.
 

thebluffs1

Site Supporter
30
Can some one here help me with this:
I would like you to create some clear criteria on what the after-hours response should be for incidents/accidents (damage, injury, fuel spill, etc.)
Dispatch does not have clear criteria on what is a minor incident and what is a major incident. They have to use their judgement on whether to involve someone from management or not. When is it necessary to call some one from safety after hours to get involved. Even if someone here has something as a policy and can share it would be appreciated.

I hate to sound rude but if they don't know the difference between major and minor they aren't qualified to be in dispatch, much less handle after hours phone calls.
 

whatiship

Well-Known Member
20
I beg to differ. It sounds like the owner or management has never clearly written a policy indicating the responsibilities and procedures for any incidents or accidents than can cost the company a fortune if not properly handled. Regardless of the size of the carrier this is critical in the event of a problem. Trucks run 24/7 and front line dispatchers must be aware of what to do in the event of any situation that involves safety or potential litigation. Sounds like someone got chewed out for either bothering a "higher up" afterhours or not bothering them. Chauhan 12 needs to ask his employer for a clear policy or write one himself if he is the owner. Everyone's definition of major/minor will be different. It needs spelled out soon.
 

lowmiler88

Site Supporter
30
Your Insurance Broker could definitely help, personally I get an email of every incident when it is reported and called for any injuries or any other person outside of our company is involved regardless of injury because they are the ones that come back to haunt you (ie even if someone is sitting in a car that we bump no matter what the speed) and really anything over 5K in damages. Costs really escalate if these incidents are not managed from the get go.
 

chauhan12

Member
5
I beg to differ. It sounds like the owner or management has never clearly written a policy indicating the responsibilities and procedures for any incidents or accidents than can cost the company a fortune if not properly handled. Regardless of the size of the carrier this is critical in the event of a problem. Trucks run 24/7 and front line dispatchers must be aware of what to do in the event of any situation that involves safety or potential litigation. Sounds like someone got chewed out for either bothering a "higher up" afterhours or not bothering them. Chauhan 12 needs to ask his employer for a clear policy or write one himself if he is the owner. Everyone's definition of major/minor will be different. It needs spelled out soon.


I will have to write one up since there are no guidelines right now that was my reason to ask since I'm in the middle of writing every process and procedure easy to understand for everyone. I'm not the owner I wish I was then it would have been spelled out right from the beginning.
 

loaders

Site Supporter
30
Your first step should be to ask the owner, “ how bad does it have to be before we call you in the middle of the night”? Now you will know what a major incident is. Everything else will be minor.
 
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