Calling for a ambulance

[medicnick83]

Clear as mud.

I think this is a useful thread to ultimately make sticky with a informative OP.

Bottom line, I have no idea who to call. OP indicates I should do research in my local area and record their number.

It's like calling 10111 - if you didn't know (and I think a SAPS member can verify this)
If you call 10111, it's a call centre, they then call YOUR NEAREST LOCAL police station to dispatch a police van / car.
A friend of mine told me to take note of my nearest police station and call them directly - so the same thing here is for that.

 

[medicnick83]

local metro rescue.

This would be Metro EMS (where I work) - we have a RESCUE unit and then AMBULANCE unit.
RESCUE unit goes out to specialized calls - think of Chicago Fire (TV Series) they have a specialized rescue team that Kelly Severide is on... pretty much the same thing.

Ambulance side generally gets dispatched and if we need assistance, we call for rescue to come back us up unless FIRE & RESCUE is on the scene and they can assist, then they do.
It's interesting to note that FIRE & RESCUE don't always respond to MEDICAL CALLS anymore... unless our control room requests that they do (probably because we busy / don't have ambulances available) but if it's TRAUMA, then they generally go, especially if MVA's and such.

Calls and vehicles dispatched to those calls also depend on what information is given.

Now, "WE" (Metro EMS) have a 'agreement' (if you want to call it that) where our control room gives calls to the private services.

I'm not entirely sure of the details, but for example, if there is an MVA (motor vehicle accident) the call will most probably be given to ER24 or Netcare 911 - if they are busy (no ambulances available) then they will dispatch one of our ambulances.

Private services claim from RAF for those type of calls, especially if YOU don't have medical aid.

 

[Grant]

Clear as mud.

I think this is a useful thread to ultimately make sticky with a informative OP.

Bottom line, I have no idea who to call. OP indicates I should do research in my local area and record their number.

i would recommend your initial call is to 112 from your mobile.
they asses what help you need (fire / medical etc) and patch you through to the local service.

in a recent instance i had to call saps, did not have the correct number tho.
called 112 & they patched me through to the local sector police van who took my call (and responded immediately), but also summoned additional assistance via radio

 

[medicnick83]

i would recommend your initial call is to 112 from your mobile.
they asses what help you need (fire / medical etc) and patch you through to the local service.

in a recent instance i had to call saps, did not have the correct number tho.
called 112 & they patched me through to the local sector police van who took my call (and responded immediately), but also summoned additional assistance via radio

I honestly prefer having the 'right' numbers saved to my phone as SAPS or Police or ambulance and then dialing directly, I don't like these 'other' call centres (and my reasons are mentioned above)

 

[biometrics]

I honestly prefer having the 'right' numbers saved to my phone as SAPS or Police or ambulance and then dialing directly, I don't like these 'other' call centres (and my reasons are mentioned above)

This assumes you don't ever leave your home area, right?

 

[medicnick83]

This assumes you don't ever leave your home area, right?

If I do, I call 10111 (if we talking about SAPS)
Not 112 or 107, because they'll just call 10111. That's the point I'm trying to make, it's about time, cutting out the extra admin.

 

[Nerfherder]

..

Cut the middle man out, do the calling yourself please guys!

I think for the most part you are right. However....

ADT has a medical emergency button on their panel so lets say you are alone or even there is one other person but they are trying to help you...

IF you can just press that one button and initiate medical care, then that is great. ADT have all your details and if you have an ambulance service with them they could even store your medical aid details.
I think this is one case where it could work out better.... I'm not saying it is like that but if they do it right it could be really useful. Especially if you live alone and are old etc....

But I get what you are saying about being direct...people should just have "ambulance" and "police" stored on their phones.
I'm going to do that right now... I have the local sector police on my phone and i'm going to put an ambulance number as well.