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MARKERS designed to accelerate emergency response times will be installed in the Grampians National Park from next year.
It comes as emergency services respond to an unprecedented number of rescues in the area.
Stawell’s State Emergency Service unit was called to 54 rescues in 2016-17, up from 35 assists in 2015-16, and 32 the year before.
The unit has also responded to many incidents so far this year, including two rescues within four hours at Mount Zero on October 21.
Parks Victoria regional fire and emergency co-ordinator for western Victoria Mark Urquhart said about 60 emergency markers would be installed in the Grampians from February or March.
“The number one outcome is quicker response times – that’s the sole purpose of them,” he said.
“Emergency services will have a definite location of where to go and clear instructions on how to get there, which we don't have at the moment.
“The signs each have a code, and when people quote this to Triple Zero the caller registers that, and it will give pre-populated responses for emergency teams including the location, GPS coordinates, the best road access route and navigational data.”
Mr Urquhart said the markers were developed after a search and rescue exercise in the Grampians last year.
“One of the outcomes of that was to investigate these markers as a means to help identify people’s location, and we’ve now started on that process,” he said.
Mr Urquhart said the markers – part of the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority system – would significantly reduce emergency response times.
“At the moment, if people call and say they are at the Pinnacle for example, that is not registered in ESTA, and their location will be plotted at Pinnacle Road at Halls Gap,” he said.
“It is only a kilometre away, but there's a huge escarpment to get through.
“The markers will be at all walking track intersections and key lookouts – locations where we know there are higher numbers of injuries.
“The markers will be rolled out in the Wonderland, MacKenzie Falls and Hollow Mountain and Mount Zero areas first.”
Grampians rescues made up about 20 per cent of Stawell SES unit’s total jobs in 2016-17.
Unit controller Alan Blight said the crew was the most experienced mountainous rescue unit in the state, and the busiest by far.
He said lower leg breaks and strains were the most common types of injuries in rescue jobs.
“We also get some head injuries from slips, trips and falls,” he said.
“But you never know what might happen: heart attacks, chest pain, hypothermia, asthma, de-hydration, or anaphylaxis to name a few.”
Mr Blight said rescues were often a multi-agency effort involving Victoria Police – the lead agency – State Emergency Service, Ambulance Victoria, the Country Fire Authority, and Parks Victoria.
Mr Blight said many slips and trips in the Grampians were avoidable, and encouraged people to thoroughly prepare before venturing into the area.
“Sometimes things can go wrong no matter how much preparation you do, but I believe better preparation would help eliminate certain incidents,” he said.
“Many things are preventable, especially falls over edges. If you're not securely attached, don't go near an edge.
“Our message is always to come and enjoy our national park, but notify people where you are going, what trails you’re doing, download the Emergency+ app, and ensure you have the correct footwear and clothing, and carry plenty of water..
“A lot of people think, ‘This walk is only a few kilometres - I’ll be fine’, but they forget that it’s up and down hills, and it’s not that easy.
“Really think about preparing for the worst-case scenario, as that's going to better than not preparing at all.”
