by Lyle Karasiuk
Paramedics Services Week began on May 23 and runs until May 29. This year the theme is Citizen Ready. Are you ready, for what you ask? This week through various means on social media we hope to make you ready to help in an emergency.
When an emergency does occur in your home, business or community, your typical reaction is to dial 9-1-1. The 9-1-1 call taker will route your call to our medical communications team who begins to find out what’s wrong and coordinate all the resources you need. 9-1-1 is a great tool when you are in an area such as our city proper where we have residential streets with clear house markings. But maybe you are out on a hike at the lake, the trees don’t have markings. Maybe the trail you are on isn’t even defined, now what? Maybe you are travelling to the lake and you come upon a vehicle collision. You think you are between Christopher Lake and Anglin Lake but just not quite sure where. Pinpointing your specific location is key to get help to you as quickly as possible.
We want to introduce you to What 3 Words. Yep 3 words on your phone relayed to our communications team will pinpoint your location. Every 3 square meters of the world has been given an ID. Please download the What3Words app to your mobile device.
- Open the what3words app and tap the ‘Locate Me’ icon.
- Your location’s what3words address will display at the bottom of the screen.
- Say it over the phone or copy it and paste it into a text message.
Please wait for the blue dot to stabilise to ensure the most accurate what3words address displays on your screen. You can also use compass mode to check your accuracy. GPS signal is weak inside buildings, so if you’re indoors, manually select the square you need for greater accuracy. To find your home what3words address, enter the street address into the what3words app, then zoom in and switch to satellite mode for more detail. This unique communications tool is a huge benefit to the communications team. But once we know where you are, we can also send those same coordinates to our paramedics or other rescuers. All they do is follow the blinking dot to where you are. Stay put if you become lost or disorientated and have your phone with you. What3Words might save your life and ensure help arrives to the exact location. What3Words does not replace things like 9-1-1 but in the rural area, the back trails, or an area you.
During Paramedics services week, we salute the incredible team of over 70 paramedics and telecommunicators who every day use their expert skills to make a world of difference for you. Thank you to this heroic team of professionals who have braved COVID19 to ensure your health and safety. Our commitment to you is do our very best with compassion and empathy. Our expert life saving skills deliver incredible out of hospital health care. Our community services pave the way to help you stay comfortable at home. Our social media channels open the avenues of communication. Visit our web site parklandambulance.com.
Like us on Facebook at parklandambulance. Follow us on Twitter at parkambulance. We’d love to hear from you! Be safe!
