Respect emergency vehicles, motorists urged
Motorists are being asked to respect emergency vehicles while on the territory’s roadways.
This request came from Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) supervisor Tashima Barzey who is pleading with the public to adhere to the sirens from ambulances to help the medical technicians execute their jobs more effectively.
“When you hear the sirens it means that we are responding to an emergency call. We want you to pull over to the closest side of the road to allow the passage of the ambulance,” she said.
“We also want you to remember that when you call for ambulance services, you will be asked to provide your name, precise directions to the address and information like how many persons are injured, the extent of their injuries and a contact number,” she added.
Barzey was speaking ahead of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) week of activities which runs from Sunday, May 19 to Saturday, May 25.
According to the EMT supervisor, the week will be placing emphasis on showcasing and educating the community on various ways to help medical technicians improve their services.
“We are here to help the community. We meet people on the worst day of their lives and we bring hope and help to them,” she stated.
She also appealed to the public to come out to the Benefit Jam event on May 24 at The Vault in Long Bush at 10 pm to contribute to their fund-raising efforts.
“We want the community to support the Benefit Jam as we will be raising funds to outfit the EMS Service for the New Nurse Iris O’Neal Medical Centre on Virgin Gorda,” she said.
The theme for the week is ‘EMS Strong: Beyond the Call’. Activities will begin with a church service at the Church of God of Prophecy Huntum’s Ghut on May 19. This will follow an opening ceremony on May 20 in the lobby of the new Peebles Hospital.
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As a matter of public safety can you please ask the ambulance drivers to STOP switching the sirens on and off, it is confusing because if you cannot see them you do not know what direction they are coming from because the sound is constantly interrupted. If there is indeed an emergency the siren should be left on for the duration of the trip, if there is no emergency it should be switched off, they need to decide. When the siren is off I myself and I’ve seen other drivers who were stopped keep driving, they are going to cause avoidable accidents.
Not just the Siren but also the Flashing Lights. At times you have what’s called a ” silent run”; therefore both “Flashing lights and Sirens”
When you throw away that offensive light pink lipstick, I will gladly pull over for the ambulance
You are stupid fool, let’s hope you are not the one in need of the ambulance…idiot
Don’t worry the court will pull you over. So keep driving when you see the ambulance heading towards you.
Please ask them to slow down.. speed kills
True speeding kills, so when they are coming for you they will not exceed 20 Mph. For your sake I hope you live close to the hospital.
Pronouncements is the key!
Are there ads on the radio, newsprints, or on tv, offering advice on these matters?
Perhaps, there is a level of ignorance among the populace as to the relevance of this agency and it’s services.
Please find ways to enhance the educative process.
A week, more or less, about EMTs and its operations are not sufficient.
Year-long snippets of information, would offer the types of information neccessary for a better, informed BVI!
I live in a ‘first world country’ where these public service announcements are everywhere, tv, radio, even bus stop, expressing the importance of these services and what is required of us as residents for these services to run as smooth as possible.
I can’t even begin to fathom why Ausar’s comment received thumbs down. Ignorant much?
CODE 1: Non-emergency response. No lights or siren, following traffic laws.
CODE 2: Moderately fast. Lights and siren used for intersections and/or heavy traffic.
CODE 3: Emergency response. Lights and siren used. Fast response.
I looked up these codes and this does not seem to be international standard, but something the BVI made up. Please stick to international standards, there is nothing in Int’l standards about using sirens only for intersections and heavy traffic, that is silly and confusing.
The idea that you actually need to be ever vigilant and observant while driving is mind blowing huh? How dare they turn off and on the siren to confuse me? Then I have to be using these mirrors that show behind me to see if I see them…
OMG…ago NEED to travel more yow. Google just aint enough.
Guy in the picture is a n***ance
In an emergency, minutes/seconds matter. It already takes too long for an ambulance to traverse from Town to remote areas of Tortola so any unnecessary delay can be harmful to patients. When a flashing light is seen or a siren is heard, motorists should safely and quickly pull over to the side so ambulance can pass. It can be a life or death situation.
One has to think, if a motorist or a family member or a friend was in an ambulance with serious medical condition(s), what would he/she want motorists to do? The expectation would be for motorists to make way for ambulance to pass. Would it not be a shame, if someone died because motorists didn’t yield to an ambulance. How would one live with oneself?
Ambulances should be staffed with emergency medical technicians (EMT) or paramedics and equipment to start urgent care on the way to the emergency room. Further, ambulances should be strategically stationed around the territory at fire stations. It will be costly but if one life is saved, it is a good investment. Time is of essence in an emergency situation. Moreover, motorists who failed to yield to ambulances should be ticketed and heavily fined. But it should not come down to that to get compliance. We should be caring for one another and taking care of one another.
Sometimes I question whether or not its an emergency or just a means of using that privilage to clear away from traffic. And yes, many times there are no emergencies.
However, when the emergency do arises, do exercise caution and allow the emergency vehicles to function freely.
The operators therefore must not abuse the system making use of the sirens and flashing lights only when an emergency situation arises.
The BVI should now be put on the blacklist for stupidity. Just by some of the above answers, there is no type of help for some of you. I agree rich people,go in, get what you can and dip.