TD8: Ambulance Service - Important Information

This is the response from Ambulance Service NSW should local residents need to call an ambulance whilst the 2 tonne limit is in place on Marlee Bridge.

Ambulance Service of NSW has requested that we clearly advise the community in respect to the appropriate procedure when making a call to 000 for an ambulance. It should be noted that Ambulance Service could not provide all its call centres with definitive individual community procedures.

The actual call to 000 may be answered in any one of the 4 call centres located within NSW. The operator answering the telephone and assessing your call is an experienced triage person and follows a predefined script (See below) . You should

- Advise in detail the nature of your/the illness
- Advise your location, a clearly sign posted address is very helpful for our paramedics when they are trying to locate your address
- Call back number (very important) you may be called back for further information and assistance
- IN ADDITION inform the operator of any impediments to access your location, ie bridge tonnage limitations, detour details including time taken via this road, present weather and road conditions (is the causeway flooded) etc, so that the operator may make the appropriate arrangements to attend to your location. If it is considered that access via road would take too long due to the seriousness of the call, i.e. a life threatening call, a helicopter could be deployed if available to assist the road ambulance responding to your incident. Any information that could facilitate locating a safe landing site would also be useful if asked by the operator.

Please note that your call will be attended to based upon the resources available at the time of your call and is assessed on a case by case basis. We ask that you work with Ambulance Service NSW in providing the relevant details when calling 000.

A fact sheet is available on their web site, it is recommended that familles go to this web site, copy this and have it near their telephone. Please note that if you have any questions/queries you should direct them to Ambulance Service NSW and/or follow the Ambulance Fact Sheet as per below. The above is provided for information purposes only, and TD8 shall have no liability arising by reason of any person using or relying on the information and whether caused by reason of any error, negligent act, omission or misrepresentation in the information or otherwise..

AMBULANCE FACT SHEET ISSUED JULY 2009

For further information please contact: Ambulance Service of New South Wales Locked Bag 105, Rozelle NSW 2039 Tel: (02) 9320 7777 Fax: (02) 9320 7800 This information is a guide only on the understanding that the Ambulance Service of New South Wales shall have no liability arising by reason of any person using or relying on the information and whether caused by reason of any error, negligent act, omission or misrepresentation in the information or otherwise.

For all medical emergencies dial Triple Zero (000) immediately and ask for Ambulance 24 hr Complaints Hotline: 1800 269 133 generalenquiry@ambulance.nsw.gov.au www.ambulance.nsw.gov.au

Calling an Ambulance
The Emergency number in Australia is Triple Zero (000). In a medical emergency dial Triple Zero (000) and ask for Ambulance. Our response starts as soon as you call.

OUR RESPONSE STARTS as soon as you call

> The emergency number in Australia is Triple Zero (000). This is a free call from any phone including mobile and public phones.
> When dialling 000 an operator will ask which service you require—Police, Fire or Ambulance. Ask for Ambulance.
> You will be asked a standard set of questions by the call taker to help them get an ambulance to you as quickly as possible.
> Stay calm and speak slowly.
Information asked BY 000 call takers
> What is the exact address of the emergency?
> What is the phone number you are calling from?
> What is the problem, tell me exactly what happened?
> How old is he/she?
> Is he/she conscious?
> Is he/she breathing?

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Remember in a medical emergency

> Triple Zero (000) is a free call from any phone
> When dialling Triple Zero (000) an operator will ask which service you require
> Ask for AMBULANCE
> You will be asked a standard set of questions by the operator to help us get an ambulance to you as quickly as possible
> Stay calm and speak slowly
Information required from Triple Zero (000) call taker
> What is the exact address of the emergency?
> What is the phone number you are calling from?
> What is the problem, tell me exactly what happened?
> How old is he/she?
> Is he/she conscious?
> Is he/she breathing?
Once you have answered these questions the first available ambulance will be dispatched.

Additional questions

Additional questions will then be asked by the operator who will also provide further assistance or instructions depending on the situation.
Remain calm. Do not hang up until the operator has obtained the required information.

> It is important to teach children how to call Triple Zero (000) and provide personal information such as their name, address and phone number
> If you live in a rural area or an area difficult to find, remember landmarks such as ‘yellow house with blue picket fence’ for example
> If you are in a hard to find location have someone wait outside to alert the ambulance on arrival or leave the front light on at night
> Always provide accurate information to help us get to you quickly
> Road users should give way as soon as you hear a siren or see the flashing lights. Don’t panic or break traffic rules. That can make matters worse. Generally move safely to the left.