Abilene will start using a new 911 dispatch system Monday. The new system will require callers to answer questions about accidents or injuries to determine whether or not a fire engine needs to respond.

In the past a fire engine and ambulance responded to every call, but Abilene Fire Chief Ken Dozier said the new system is more efficient.

"There will be times it'll be an ambulance only and situations when we are running cold mode rather than hot mode, so we will not be running with lights and sirens," Dozier said.

Dozier said saving fire response teams for situations when they are needed could make a big difference.

"There were times because our resources were sent on every call that our resources were not available when an urgent call came in," Dozier said.

The new methods are called the Emergency Medical Dispatch system. It was developed 30 years ago and is used by hundreds of response agencies around the world.

All dispatchers were trained and EMD certified, so they know what questions to ask to determine how much manpower is required.

Dozier said there's no concern that those in need won't receive enough care.

"Each request for emergency medical assistance will receive the appropriate level of expertise and resources," Dozier said.