Thursday afternoon, Seattle Fire medical units rushed to the E Olive Way Starbucks to care for a 26-year-old man suffering a heroin overdose. They were dispatched to the scene even faster than normal thanks to a new “quick dispatch” protocol.

When you’re wondering what those sirens are all about, a useful tool for Seattle citizens is the Seattle Fire Real-Time 911 Dispatch page. CHS, of course, is a regular visitor. You’ll now see the new “quick dispatch” standard and “med 7” (when more personnel are required to help somebody in life-threatening condition) appear on the page whenever Seattle Fire is dispatched by 911 to a scene where a patient is not conscious.

Here’s more from SFD spokesperson Kyle Moore:

Today we launched a new dispatch protocol for unconscious and unresponsive patients. You will notice a QMED and a QMED7 dispatches. This new  protocol allows dispatchers to send Medic Units to the patients quicker.

The new protocol is a software upgrade that cuts down the number of screen dispatchers need to open and close to dispatch a medic unit. The net result is quicker response times for unconscious and unresponsive patients.

According to the latest statistics from the Medic One Foundation, Medic One consistently achieves patient survival rates that are the gold standard for emergency medical care in the United States. The resuscitation rate for witnessed, shockable sudden cardiac arrest in Seattle and King County is 56% – more than twice that of most cities.

Moore also pointed out that the Medic One Foundation is located right here on First Hill. The organization is responsible for “research, paramedic training, and medical review” for the emergency response program in King County. The nonprofit is supported by community giving. You can learn more at mediconefoundation.org.