Shamsiya Hussainpoor
SES Emerald Unit was requested multiple times, including twice at 1000 Steps in Ferntree Gully National Park, third time at Kallista and a fourth time in Emerald within 24 hours, along with SES Knox Unit to assist Ambulance Victoria.
On Monday afternoon SES Emerald Unit helped Ambulance Victoria carry a person who had a medical episode three quarters away out of the park, down to where the ambulance was parked.
SES Emerald Unit Controller Ben Owen said they have specialised carrying equipment to help carry patients out of remote areas, hence Ambulance Victoria seeks their assistance from time to time.
“It’s not dangerous to hike or walk in 1000 Steps but from time-to-time people have trips, slips and falls, or people have medical episodes that result in them not being able to complete their walk, hike, or their bike ride – we are here to assist,” he said.
“We had four back-to-back calls within a 24-hour period, it’s probably the first time in 20 years that I can recall having that without having other types of SES day-to-day run call outs that we do a majority of the time – the situation was quite unique.”
Mr Owen said if you are out for a walk or hike in remote areas, it’s best to use apps that identifies your exact location.
“One of the rescues we assisted was a young fella, he had people supporting him – they used apps to identify exactly where he was in the park, which made it quicker for emergency services and ambulance to find him and as a result he got the treatment he needed quicker and got the hospital quicker,” he said.
Apps like What3words or Google Maps can help track your location if emergency help is ever needed.
Mr Owen expressed his gratitude to SES Knox Unit for assisting them over that 24-hour period.
“We’d also like to thank Kallista CFA for helping us on the ground,” he said.
Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said one of the incidents was related to a medical problem where AV needed assistance to get someone out of the shower.
“Paramedics responded to reports of a fall in Kallista at around 12:40pm on 18 June 2024, one person was transported by road ambulance to Dandenong Hospital with a lower body injury, in a stable condition,” the spokesperson said.
SES Emerald Unit is always looking for volunteers, if you’re interested or you’d like to know more about their volunteering work, head to their website at ses.vic.gov.au or pop in on a Monday night and have a chat to a team member.
