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CMC’s toll-free phone No. 110 in case of an accident Colombo Municipality’s Chief Fire Officer J. Kannangara said in case of an accident a toll-free No. 110 could be called and one of the specially trained units would arrive at the scene of the accident with the minimum of delay. He said a team of 30 firemen have been trained as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) and the emergency service was supplied with eight ambulances equipped with VHF communication and equipment for preliminary medical treatment. An EMT unit would be stationed at each of the four CMC Fire departments. The toll-free number when called would be transmitted to the Fire Service Headquarters which would then relay it to the nearest unit for speedy response. The ambulances are provided with the facility to communicate with the accident services of any Hospital in Colombo to alert the state of the victim’s condition. Two emergency medical technicians of Johanniter -- a German based NGO -- trained the team of firemen for a period of one year and half. It was supervised by medical specialists from the CMC, Colombo National Hospital, the Police Hospital, and St. John Ambulance Service. Johanniter also donated eight ambulances through St. John Ambulance Service. The Swiss NGO SweRoad provided additional funding. In a demonstration held last week, the team of medical technicians displayed their prowess. John Churton, one of the trainers, attached to Johanniter was all praise for the technicians. “The technicians are very good and they seem to do well under pressure, capable of doing a good job and well trained to handle any situation”, he said. CMC’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam said the emergency medical service would enhance the prospects of survival for accident victims who would be given emergency treatment at the site of the accident and on the way to hospital. Toll-free
Nos. take their toll He said after most cellular phone companies introduced toll-free numbers to contact the Emergency Unit more than a hundred obscene and fake phone calls were received daily, which congested the line depriving the genuine callers from getting quick assistance. “When complaints are made to the companies they advise us to inform the Police,” the official said. |
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