Emergency Services in Western Australia
It's a pretty good idea to have a list of the Emergency Services of any new country you are visiting, no matter how long for. Below are a number contact numbers and link addresses for all the major services available in Australia, or particular to Western Austrtalia.
Ambulance Services
The Australian ambulance service is very similar to the UK except YOU HAVE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE SERVICE IN ORDER TO RECEIVE ATTENTION
Subscriptions cover life saving emergency ambulance transport services. If you do not subscribe to the ambulance service or have private health insurance then you could be presented with a large bill which you would be expected to pay. There is a fixed cost for emergency transport service regardless of the length of the journey.
The Ambulance Service operates and delivers services to the public from ambulance response stations located across Western Australia.
Ambulance costs are NOT covered by Medicare.
Your private health care cover may not fully cover costs related to the Ambulance Service.
Carefully check what cover you have from your private health care insurance and make sure details are confirmed to you in writing.
Ambulance Subscription Cover
The different types of ambulance subscriptions on offer cover either individuals or family units i.e. you, your partner and / or any dependant children under the age of 17 years
Cover can be obtained under a family subscription for dependant children aged between 17 and 25 years but further conditions will apply.
The individual subscription is for a single person or child who is not eligible for cover under the family subscription conditions.
The cover is purchased from a private health insurance company.
In Australia the emergency number for an ambulance is: 000
When you dial this number, the operator wil ask you the following questions:
What emergency service do you require?
The address of where the emergency is and
What the problem is
It is important that you do NOT hang up until the operator tells you to. You may have to hold the line whilst the emergency services are informed of the address and then dispatched.
POLICE
The Australian police force is divided into separate police forces for each individual state or territory. Therefore, Western Australia maintains its own police force. In addition to this there is also the Federal Police Force which is Australia wide.
POLICE OFFICERS CARRY FIREARMS ALL THE TIME.
There are police stations and sub-stations in mos suburbs and there are some offices in mdajor shopping centres.
Like other states and territories within Australia and like other countries, Western Australia has its good and bad areas with regard to crime. It is best to take a common sense approach and secure your valuables at all times. Do not leave items in your car on view and ensure your vehicle and your home are locked securely at all times.
Random breath tests (RBT's) are carried out at regular intervals. The method used is to cone off a road and funnel vehicles through asking each driver to take a breath test. The police take a very hard and tough approach to drink driving.
You may also encounter the police by breaking the speed limit. Again, the police force is keen to catch speeding motorists and fine them. Methods used to do this are fixed cameras, speed traps, laser and radar traps. Obey the speed limits and road rules and you will avoid both fines and demerit points on your licence. If you commit a traffic offence anywhere in Australia you will probably gain demerit points. At a predetermined total of demerit points, your licence could be suspended.
TO CALL THE POLICE IN AN EMERGENCY DIAL: 000
FESA FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY
THE Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia (FESA) and associated volunteers respond to a wide range of emergencies including fire, cyclones, storms, floods, road accidents, chemical spills and earthquakes as well as undertaking search and rescue operations on land and water.
We also aim to reduce injury, loss of life and destruction of property in our community through proactive measures. FESA helps the West Australian community prepare, prevent (where possible) and respond safely to disasters.
The Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia provides the Western Australian community with a comprehensive range of emergency services through the:
· Fire and Rescue Service (FRS)
· State Emergency Service (SES)
· Bush Fire Service (BFS)
· Emergency Management Services (EMS)
· Volunteer Marine Rescue Service (VMRS)
· Unexploded Ordance (UXO)
FESA is working towards a vision of a safer community and this will be through the mission of working with the community for a safer Western Australia by the delivery of timely, quality and effective emergency services.
STATE EMERGENCY SERVICES (SES)
The SES is an emergency and rescue service volunteer organisation. They have units based in most suberbs. Their role is to provide assistance in the evacuation and rescue of people when required at such times of flooding and storms. They can also assist in mountains and bush rescues as well as road accidents.
They are fully trained and have specialised equipment to suit each emergency situation. The also deliver a public education program on to groups of people who may be at special risk from fire, floods etc. They are easily identifiable by their bright orange overalls.
Most SES training is nationally accredited.
Have fun, learn life skills and get a qualification by joining the SES
The State Emergency Service (SES) is focused on ensuring that Western Australian communities can cope with emergencies. It has the lead role in managing the State's actions for floods, cyclones, storms, earthquakes and tsunami threats as well as assisting other agencies in their roles. There are more than 80 volunteer units throughout Western Australia. There are generally established in association with local governments.
SES volunteer training includes:
First aid
Map reading and navigation
Land search techniques
Storm damage techniques
Flood boat rescue
General rescue
Radio communications
Leadership
Management
Driving vehicles for emergencies
Road accident rescue
Single rope techniques (abseiling) and vertical rescue
Observation from aircraft and supply dropping
Ground support for fire services
Catering
If you would like to learn more about the SES or how to become a volunteer, contact your local SES unit.
Contact: www.ses.wa.gov.au
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