EMERGENCY AMBULANCE SERVICE

MAIN FEATURES OF EMERGENCY AMBULANCE SERVICE

a. This service is being implemented by mobilizing the indigenous resources available with NHQ and different branches of PRCS in twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Having organized these ambulances into an integrated outfit under a central control, these are deployed in two groups at NHQ, H-8 Sector Islamabad and PRCS, District Branch (Satellite Town), Rawalpindi.

b. All ambulances have been refurbished, fitted with oxygen cylinders and provided with First Aid boxes. Each ambulance has been facilitated with services of a para-medical assistant/First Aider to provide First Aid to the victims of a disaster/ terrorist act.

A Control Room established in the premises of National Headquarters is being manned 24 hours and the staff on duty will control the employment of ambulances at the scene of incident and also coordinate with other emergency services, Police (Rescue 15) and hospitals. The Control Room maintains a computerized record of ambulances and related data. The Control Room is also equipped with city maps and charts with location of hospitals, number of beds earmarked and blood stored for emergencies. Important telephone numbers are at Annex I.

The communication between the Control Room and ambulances will be maintained with mobile phones provided to all ambulance drivers. Phones having following numbers are available in the Control Room to receive information/ requests for provision of ambulances:-

i. PRCS NHQ, Islamabad: 051-9250001,051-9250404-5
ii. Mobile Phone No. 0333- 5188832

Each ambulance has been facilitated with a para-medical staff/First Aider to provide First Aid to the injured/sick. Drivers of ambulances have also been trained to provide First Aid. Training Officer at National Training & Resource Centre is responsible to coordinate the training and provision of First Aiders with ambulances.

Incharge Blood Donor Centre (BDC) at National Headquarters is responsible for coordinating the provision of blood in case of major disasters. Already coordination with Blood Banks of major hospital of twin cities has been carried out and they have sufficient blood to meet any emergency. In addition the capacity of Blood Donor Centre (BDC) at National Headquarters is being enhanced to meet additional requirement of blood. The BDC from its own stock will provide blood to hospitals handling the casualties after ascertaining the requirements. If needed the BDC will establish mobile Blood Donation Centres to meet the requirement.

A Standing Operating Procedure (SOP) has been formulated in a manner that the ambulances of the outfit would quickly reach the scene of a disaster/terrorist act in any part of twin cities. In case of requirement ambulances of one centre would augment the resources of other centre. The PRCS Blood and First Aid programmes are also being inter-linked to support the ambulance service. SOP is attached as Annex II.

ANNEX I

S.NO.

PLACES

TELEPHONE #

1

9250407
0333-5242118

2

9250409

3

9450410

4

9250412

ANNEX II

1. The purpose of organizing the Emergency Task Force at NHQ and District Branch, Rawalpindi is to be able to quickly and effectively respond to emergencies / calamities / terrorist acts to provide First Aid to the causalities and evacuate the victims to the nearest hospitals.

2. Ambulance Service will also be available to general public and medical establishments on hire for transportation of patients and dead bodies.

3. A Control Room manned around the clock has been established at NHQ and it has the following communication facilities:

     a. Telephone No. 9257404
     b. Mobile Phone No. 0333-5188832

4. Minimum of two ambulances will be kept in stand-by condition for immediate dispatch at the aforementioned locations.

The Control Room operator on receiving information by telephone or otherwise will immediately alert the stand-by ambulances and confirm the information from a Police source (Rescue 15). Then according to the nature and seriousness of the situation dispatch the required number of ambulances. Drivers will be told the name of hospital(s), nearest to the place of the incident, to which the causalities are to be evacuated. The Control Room operator will also inform the following:-

    a. Alerting the Emergency Unit of the concerned hospital for receiving the causalities.
    b. Blood Donor Centre, PRCS for the provision of blood if needed.
    c. Supervisor of the PRCS, Emergency Ambulance Service for assessing the situation and accordingly controlling the evacuation operation.
    d. Inform Director Special Projects about the incident and obtain his instructions for further action.

On receipt of a request from any person/ medical establishment / organization the Control Room operator will take the following actions:-

     a. Within Municipal Limits of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Record the required information and after obtaining permission from the Supervisor dispatch the ambulance available, according to the duty roster.

     b. Outstation Duties. Record the request in Message Register and obtain permission from the Supervisor and in his absence from Director Special Projects, before dispatching the ambulance. Maximum distance limit for providing ambulance service is 500 Km.

Following documents will be maintained:-

     a. Message Record Register.
     b. Vehicles Detailing Register.
     c. Driver’s Requisition Slip.
     d. Record of Maintenance of all Vehicles.
     e. Record of receipt of payments from users.
     f. Log Books.

     a. For calamities / disasters / terrorist acts no payment will be charged.
     b. For transportation of patients and dead bodies the charges will be as under:-

          i. Within city limits - Rs. 100/- per trip
          ii. Outstation
    
     a. Air-Conditioned (AC) - Rs. 15 per km
     b. Without AC - Rs. 10 per km

     c. No request for any emergency situation will be rejected. Supervisor will be informed after undertaking the mission.

     d. For individuals who cannot make the full payment, due to weak financial position, the concession will be decided by Director Special Projects.

Petrol Ambulance will be used only for emergency within city limits.