AMBULANCE Victoria has implored Wimmera residents to ensure their homes and businesses are clearly identifiable.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The organisation has received an overwhelming response to the new Paramedics television series on Channel Nine, with people keen to know more about how they can help during a medical emergency, should they ever need to call Triple Zero.
The television series follows the lives of Ambulance Victoria paramedics on the road and in the air.
Ambulance Victoria acting Wimmera group manager Tim Maywald said the show highlighted the many ways people could help paramedics in their work.
He said one of the most important things was for people to make sure their home or business was clearly numbered.
“Seconds or even minutes can be lost trying to find an address if there isn’t clear numbering that’s visible both day and night,” he said.
“Over time that numbering can fade or be hidden by trees, which makes our job much harder.”
Mr Maywald said before paramedics arrived at a location, Triple Zero call-takers at the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority would give callers advice on how to help paramedics when they arrived.
He said pets were also something people needed to be aware of.
“As shown in last week’s episode of Paramedics, pets can be a distraction and can get in the way of treatment. So we ask people to lock pets away before we arrive,” he said.
“It’s also important to ensure your front door is unlocked so we can get in, especially if you are home alone.
“If you have a smartphone, download the Emergency+ app, which will help provide an exact location if you are in an unfamiliar area."
Mr Maywald said other tips included leaving an outside light on if the emergency call was at night or early in the morning; having someone standing outside the address ready to wave down the ambulance as it arrived, if possible; and ensuring someone could provide a brief history to paramedics about what happened, if the patient was unable to speak.