Seeking Assistance from Emergency Services

The first person you will speak with when you call 000 is

• a) An ambulance officer

• A Telstra operator

• c) The emergency services operator

• d) The local fire station

Answer explanation

When you call 000 the first person to answer is the Telstra operator who will as which service you need.

The first question you will be asked when you call 000 is

• a) What are the details of the situation?

• b) How can I help you today?

• c) Police, Fire or Ambulance?

• d) What is your name?

Answer explanation

The first question is Police, Fire, Ambulance? so you can be connected with the service you need

Who is the second person you will speak with when you call 000?

• a) An ambulance officer

• b) The emergency services operator

• c) Telstra operator

• d) The local fire station

Answer explanation

The Telstra operator will put you through to the emergency operator so they are the second person you will speak with when you call 000

The emergency services operator will ask you for your number because

• a) They want to involve you in the situation

• b) They can track your telephone

•  c) They won’t ask for your number

• d) They need to be able to call you back if the call drops out

Answer explanation

The emergency operator will ask for your number so they can call you back if the line drops out. They do not trace mobile phones to find you. They can try to find your address from a land line but this is precious time wasted. Giving your number will make it much easier if you are disconnected for some reason.

Information you must give the emergency services operator includes details of where you are, including street number, name, locality and

• a) Nearest cross street

• b) Nearest ambulance station

• c) Nearest police station

• d) Nearest fire station

Answer explanation

Giving the nearest cross street can help the emergency services find you much faster, especially if you live on a very long road, like a highway!

When is it ok to end the call to 000?

• a) After you tell them where the incident is

• b) After they have your number so they can call you back

• c) After the operator tells you it is ok to end the call

• d) After you tell them your name

Answer explanation

Never end the call until the emergency operator tells you it's ok to do so. Don't forget, if you need to do first aid, you can put the phone on speaker and continue to speak with the operator who might give you some instructions on how to help the injured person

When calling from a country property you need to tell the operator the property name as well as

• a) The exact address and direction from the nearest landmark or road

• b) Nothing, the property name is enough

• c) The last three towns you went through

• d) Your neighbour’s phone number

Answer explanation

The exact property address is important for any emergency 000 call. In the country, the properties can be kilometres apart so knowing the nearest landmark and direction from the nearest landmark or road can really help.

Street numbers in some regional areas also indicate which side of the road the house is on and how many km from town eg. 314L is 314km on the left.

If you are calling 000 from a motorway, what information will you tell the emergency operator to help them find you?

• a) How busy the motorway is

• b) What the scenery looks like

• c) The last town or exit you passed and the direction you are travelling 

• d) Your destination and why you are going there

Answer explanation

This is a really good reason to take note of the exits on a motorway and to read the street name on any bridges you drive under. It can help emergency services find you more quickly if you can give them this information. The direction is also really important so they take an on ramp that places them on the same side of the motorway as the incident!

You are calling 000 from a building in the city so a prominent place to have someone wait to greet the ambulance would be

• a) In the foyer

• b) On the footpath near the driveway to the building

• c) On the same floor as the incident

• d) You don’t need someone to wait for the ambulance in the city

Answer explanation

Cities can be crowded places with building numbers often difficult to read. By standing on the footpath near the driveway to the building, you can help the emergency vehicles locate the building more quickly.

As the ambulance approaches the scene the person greeting them should

• a) Sit down

• b) Stand still

• c) Turn and go inside

• d) Wave to attract their attention

Answer explanation

Give the emergency services a hand by waving as they approach. It can make it more obvious you are waiting to direct them to the incident if you wave as they approach.