Welcome Guest! The IOSH forums are a free resource to both members and non-members. Login or register to use them

Postings made by forum users are personal opinions. IOSH is not responsible for the content or accuracy of any of the information contained in forum postings. Please carefully consider any advice you receive.

Notification

Icon
Error

Options
Go to last post Go to first unread
A Kurdziel  
#1 Posted : 04 October 2011 16:04:35(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
A Kurdziel

I was going to join in the thread on HSE expenditure but decided that the lines where just too entrenched. So instead I have decided to start a new one. Last week one of our inspectors was on a farm where he took ill and had to be airlifted to hospital where he unfortunately died. One of his colleagues gave him CPR and at the same time was trying to talk to the ambulance service operator. The operator was more interested in getting the address of the incident than in giving the colleague advice on CPR. She seemed flummoxed by the fact that the location was a large farmer’s field in Devon, with no road name or house number. When he suggested that he give her his Grid Reference from his GPS she seemed even more confused. The question is what is the best way to explain to the emergency services about the location of an incident if it has not happened at a normal address ie house number, road, town, post code eg in field, forest, moor or on a large commercial site, such as a container port ? Can they deal with coordinates, grid reference etc? I am planning to upgrade our guidance on this matter and would appreciate some input especially from those forum members who have experience of the emergency services.
MB1  
#2 Posted : 04 October 2011 16:14:42(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
MB1

I would have expected that GPS and Grid Reference would have been of help for the air ambulance? Other helpful indications may be landmarks, junctions etc? Many large sites would likely have a system to guide emergency services, such as someone to follow once at the entrance?
Wood28983  
#3 Posted : 04 October 2011 16:21:16(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Wood28983

We've had similar before and found that grid references weren't any use to them. Postcode is apparantely the best as they just put this into their Sat Nav! I would in future insist of giving the grid reference to the operator as even if they can't make sense of it it will be helpful when the call is passed onto air ambulance etc. In our case we gave the postcode of a local farm who pointed them the right direction
Kate  
#4 Posted : 04 October 2011 16:26:49(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Kate

I had occasion to call for an ambulance on a cycle path where it crossed above a major road, I gave the name of the path and the name of the road it crossed, which would have been enough information for anyone with local knowledge or anyone with a map of the area in front of them, but no, this wasn't enough, I had to find out from a passerby how to get to a street and give the street name.
Stedman  
#5 Posted : 04 October 2011 16:36:38(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Stedman

What is wrong with using http://gridreferencefinder.com/# ? It could not be clearer than that and you get aerial map, street names and post code from this website.
TDS1984  
#6 Posted : 04 October 2011 16:54:27(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
TDS1984

I can't speak for all the emergency services, but in the Fire Service our 'tip-out' sheet comes through the printer complete with grid reference, and the Mobile Data Terminal has a grid reference search function. So one would assume that in control they are capable of dealing with a grid reference, this however could be due to the nature of the incidents attended?
Graham Bullough  
#7 Posted : 04 October 2011 17:00:50(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Graham Bullough

Good topic to raise. It's a bit worrying that the emergency services operator described didn't seem to be acquainted with OS grid references. However, perhaps she was new to the job. However, in concentrating on getting details of the location involved, surely she was doing her main job. Also, though happy to be corrected, I understand that the job doesn't normally involve giving first aid advice. As MB1 has also suggested, it's helpful to name/describe prominent landmarks, road junctions, i.e. try to think of the location and surrounding area from the aerial perspective of the helicopter pilot. Mountain rescue teams and other organised groups may well have smoke or bright light flares to help guide pilots to an actual location, but they are in a minority. One possible alternative to a flare is to use LED torches or headlamps set to flashing mode (which might explain why such lamps usually have one or more flashing modes), or just wave one or more ordinary torches about to create a similar effect. If the weather is sunny, try shuggling something reflective about as the glints of sunlight produced can often be seen from a long distance away. It's a standard technique described in books about survival for people on the ground to attract the attention of searchers in aeroplanes or helicopters. Hope others with emergency service knowledge/connections can advise about the feasibility or otherwise of grid references. I was brought up with grid references and still use them occasionally, not least because using or simply poring over maps is one of my passions. (For me the best part of my geography 'O' level exam paper was the one which had questions requiring interpretation of an Ordnance Survey (OS) map extract.) Can forum users with offspring confirm whether or not maps and grid references are still included in school geography? GPS sets commonly operate with OS grid references, so surely such references continue to have a vital function nowadays!
Clairel  
#8 Posted : 04 October 2011 17:19:40(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Clairel

The problem has arisen, I think, due to the removal of local call centres. When I spotted some drunk kids building a large fire in the woods I contacted the local services and gave them the name of the woods and the lcoation but they didn't have a clue where I was and said the control room was for north yorkshire as a whole, the largest county in England. They ended up sending the fire brigade to the wrong woods. Where I live there are no house numbers and no street names so I hope we never have a fire or need an ambulance! Grid references are all very well but if you're not carrying a map with you then you won't know it. However, most phones now provide GPS and grid references, which is good. Oddly there is a service that can be used by those regularly in remote areas, called 999 SMS. It was set up for those with hearing and speech problems but has been extended to those that reguarly go into remote areas with difficult reception - because often a text will get through when there isn't enough signal for a call. Outdoor sports people like myself have signed up to the service but I also tell farmers about it as they are in the same situation. I only mention this because one of the ways you can let them know your location is a grid reference. So I guess they are supposed to know about grid refernces. I also suspect that the operator in question was new.
Graham Bullough  
#9 Posted : 04 October 2011 18:15:56(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Graham Bullough

Clairel - Many thanks for mentioning 999 SMS. I confess I didn't know about it and suspect that many others don't know either. For those who want some details about it, have a look at http://www.emergencysms.org.uk/ On a slight deviation from the main topic, I've noticed that some local authorities in the UK display names for road roundabouts in their areas, but most do not. Therefore, for some cases where an emergency service is required at or near an anonymous roundabout, it can be difficult for a caller to give the precise location to an emergency operator. Also, many main roads in urban and semi-urban areas have different names for different sections, but the names aren't always displayed at frequent intervals. Therefore, if such roads incorporate roundabouts with names, it might help if an emergency service caller can cite the name of the nearest roundabout and its position with respect to where help is needed. Some of the people I encounter have no idea whatsoever about which way is north, south, etc in relation to where they live and work, etc. Thus, if tell someone in this category (a geog-nostic?!), for example, to drive south along a specific road they look at me as if I'm talking in a rare foreign language. Though I'm admittedly a geographer at heart, am I expecting too much in hoping that people at least have a rough idea of their geographical orientation? p.s. Anyone want to start/join a campaign for action about anonymous roundabouts?!
bob youel  
#10 Posted : 05 October 2011 07:36:41(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
bob youel

The only and sure and true way of identifying any location anywhere in the UK is to use a proper RO map and use a grid reference; 'sat nav's' are just not reliable enough in my view The problem with the 'powers that be' is that they only think of a possible saving of some money not; in my personal opinion, a saving of a life so front line staff are not trained properly Additionally we are expected to have self rescue systems in place and a risk assessment would have identified a need and a system would have been put in place before people went out to what appear to be 'different' locations
JohnV  
#11 Posted : 05 October 2011 11:24:30(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
JohnV

I agree with stedman. I used to work for a major construction company erecting electricity pylons "in-the-middle-of-nowhere" and the standard instruction to construction teams was to use grid reference in the event of needing emergency services. This was particularly important when working in some parts of the UK where village names can be difficult to pronounce for non-locals. Regards, John
sean  
#12 Posted : 05 October 2011 11:32:56(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Guest

Quote=Graham Bullough] p.s. Anyone want to start/join a campaign for action about anonymous roundabouts?!
Graham I have joined one of these campaigns before it was a waste of time I was going round in circles all day and couldn't find the roundabouts because they were anonymous!
colinreeves  
#13 Posted : 05 October 2011 13:47:52(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
colinreeves

sean wrote:
Quote=Graham Bullough] p.s. Anyone want to start/join a campaign for action about anonymous roundabouts?!
Graham I have joined one of these campaigns before it was a waste of time I was going round in circles all day and couldn't find the roundabouts because they were anonymous!
What is all this talk about roundabouts. What are they? Oh, yes, I recall there are two in the whole of Shetland, a couple hundred of yards apart. Not much use anywhere else!
NLivesey  
#14 Posted : 05 October 2011 15:33:51(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
NLivesey

I've undertaken an investigation into a very similar incident and was pretty shocked to discover it took more than 12 minutes for the member of staff calling 999 to get the operator (call made in midlands on a land line, 999 operator taking call in Scotland) to pass the caller onto the local emergency services. The problem was the same as the OP's (not close to a road, no visible land marks) although in the case I dealt with the local emergency services did arrive in time to save the injured person. On investigation it became clear that when calling a 999 operator the best piece of info to give them is the postcode and as such we've started to look at putting post code info at all of our sites. In terms of the advice the operator was giving their principle aim will be to get an accurate location to send the emergency services. Unfortunately 'CPR' is no where near as effective as many would believe. Having undertaken 1st aid at work training with a paramedic he was pretty clear in making sure our expectations weren't optimistic if required to administer CPR. Ultimately CPR only gives a very slight improvement in the casualty recovering. That's not to say don't bother, but understand that your best effort may not be enough. That's why it's crucial that the emergency services get to the location. In all honesty the satnav age has made a lot of us lazy (me included) when it comes to knowing where we are and how we got there. Problem is we only realise it when it matters most. What I would suggest is that when doing site visits having something in the site briefing pack (and create one if this doesn't happen) that identifies the postcode of the location and nearest emergency service road access (google maps is a godsend). Bear in mind that these events are very fortunately few and far between, but with a small amount preparation it can make a difference.
cliveg  
#15 Posted : 05 October 2011 22:00:00(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
cliveg

Hello, Just to confirm that like the Fire & Rescue, the police can and do use grid references, and the rural forces are more used to dealing with them. Can't see any reason why the ambulance service would be any different. Note that 999 calls go through to BT call centres first before being routed through to the local emergency services. The BT staff may not be so up to speed, and it have been at that point that the difficulty arose.
bob youel  
#16 Posted : 06 October 2011 07:16:25(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
bob youel

As I commented previously: Sort any communication situations out from your side before a problem arises e.g. Undertake a proper R-Assessment then set up a system of work and then U have done all that is reasonable As for the *people between U and the front line emergency services; well I feel that U will not change the situation as those with influence do not care nor can they be got at [* I am talking about the senior people here not the poor person in the call ctr!]
Graham Bullough  
#17 Posted : 06 October 2011 14:43:56(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Graham Bullough

Good to see from cliveg's response that police and fire & rescue organisations can and do use grid references and, hopefully, ambulance organisations as well. However, judging from other responses, the impression that a few/some or many people who take 999 calls don't understand grid references is very worrying. If this is the case, surely there's a strong case for trying to persuade those in charge of such facilities to make appropriate changes. Those of us in OS&H and like-minded people should never accept the status quo if it is incorrect. As with some other situations, the more people who pester for change, the better! Also, if the situation with 999 centres causes unnecessary delays in casualties receiving paramedic support - and therefore significantly impairs the chances of some casualties to be saved - the pestering (cogent & polite, but nevertheless persistent) should be aimed at politicians and anyone else who can help change the situation. Okay, to be realistic, not all casualties with serious injuries can be saved, but this shouldn't diminish the overall aim of getting paramedic support to casualties as swiftly as possible. Another thought: This topic is also relevant to those of us who work with schools, especially secondary schools whose pupils are led on trips or go with only intermittent adult supervision (e.g. Duke of Edinburgh Award expeditions) into the countryside, especially wild remote areas. If we haven't already done so, we should be asking if everybody involved with such trips can understand and use grid references in an emergency situation.
A Kurdziel  
#18 Posted : 06 October 2011 15:28:22(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
A Kurdziel

Thanks for your comments. The one about SMS 999 is useful I will be looking this up. Bob Youel we have a risk assessment and we do have a level of self rescue, First Aid kit etc but I think kitting out every one of inspecting teams with fully equipped emergency ambulance might be going a bit far! Yes I will endeavour for all of our peripatetic workers to note both the Grid reference and the post code of where they are visiting.
bob youel  
#19 Posted : 07 October 2011 08:04:38(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
bob youel

Additionally the appropriate mobile phone may be needed - I know of one incident where the team involved had an ordinary [good one] mobile phone but it could not pick up a signal - they were lucky as the farmer passing by has a satellite direct phone [GPS?] and mans [an arbourist] life was saved otherwise he would have bled to death The signal strength, reception etc. for a mobile or radio in an area should be a consideration of the risk assessment Self rescue does not always mean equipping all staff with everything [but it would be nice] - just kit them out with what they need which may only mean adding in proper selection of staff and some proper training
Phillips20760  
#20 Posted : 07 October 2011 11:16:49(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Phillips20760

Pot Kettle? It's interesting, with all the negative press we get as an industry, often due to isolated incidents (the exception not the norm) of poor advice, we have fallen into the same trap when drawing opinions on the emergency services and generalising the entire system. Speaking from first hand experience, when calling 999 for an ambulance the call first goes through a call taker (not from BT..., but from the Ambulance Call Centre). Once this person has got all the information they then pass this over to a dispatcher who will decide on priority, allocate a vehicle or request helicopter / police / mountain rescue assistance etc. Although a grid reference may not mean anything to the call taker (and arguably it doesn't need to - they just pass on information) it will be critical information to the dispatcher if a helicopter is required. All dispatchers understand OS and, especially in rural services, are well experienced in using them. In the majority of cases call takers will take grid references and any other relevant information for rural rescues - it appears the OP has had a poor, isolated, experience which is not the norm. Lets not tar with a similar brush.... In response to the original question, yes Grid References are critical information to pass on the the emergency services as are the usual landmarks, place names (if possible) etc. Interestingly, if no roads are visible, rivers, lakes and streams are some of the most helpful landmarks. They are easy to spot from helicopters and also help dispatchers plot a map location through good description of the local watercourses. Have a nice weekend, Ian
townshend1012  
#21 Posted : 08 October 2011 00:04:58(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
townshend1012

As one who used to design Emergency Plans for potential aircraft crashes, all the Emergency Services have the capability of inputting post codes, grid refs or addresses into their onboard systems which will direct them to the location. I also read recently that all Control Centre operators will be undergoing additional training to cater for this exact situation. If all you have is a grid ref, you should tell the operator to write these numbers down and pass them to the recipient of the shout, whether it be Police, Fire, Ambulance or Coastguard. Also, as the person responsible for the introduction of the North Wales Air Ambulance, I can safely say that the grid ref is the most important one for the helimed. They put this directly into their INS and fly the most direct route to get there.
teh_boy  
#22 Posted : 10 October 2011 08:49:17(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
teh_boy

Phillips20760 wrote:
Pot Kettle? I In the majority of cases call takers will take grid references and any other relevant information for rural rescues - it appears the OP has had a poor, isolated, experience which is not the norm. Lets not tar with a similar brush.... Ian
I agree - as a St John member who spends a lot of time in remote Devon fields we always plan for this and have postcodes and grid reference where required, never had a problem yet. Also do not confuse time confirming location on a 999 call for time of dispatch, if it's a high priority call they will send a unit in your direction and then continue to try and confirm exact location. I am amazed they didn't offer CPR advice, once location is confirmed and vehicle dispatched this is the next thing in the prompt list, they always try and tell me what to do even though I keep telling them I'm an advanced first aider with a Nurse :) I agree sounds like an isolated incident - what was the result of any complaint? All calls are recorded! OH and as for mobile phones! In any kind of major emergency or terrorist incident is everyone aware the mobile phone next work gets turned off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's important to plan for this scenario too!
Graham Bullough  
#23 Posted : 11 October 2011 00:22:02(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Graham Bullough

Excellent reply by Townshend1012 at #21 with good information including welcome news of relevant additional training for control centre operators. Over the weekend I happened to see most of a recording of last Friday morning's showing of BBC TV's "Helicopter Rescue" featuring the Yorkshire Air Ambulance service. Part of it included footage of a pilot and his navigator talking about "the grid", presumably the grid reference of the location to which were flying. The programme also featured some nasty accidents, including a woman with fingers badly damaged by the blades of a lawn mower she had been clearing and a chap (DIYer or possibly self-employed) whose face had had a close encounter with the rotating blade of an hand-held angle grinding tool. After making a gradual recovery he declared that he had learnt his lesson the hard way and henceforth would always wear a face visor when using the grinder! The contents of TV programmes like "Helicopter Rescue" and "Motorway Cops" make them interesting "reality" programmes to watch, as opposed to so-called 'reality' programmes like "Big Brother"! However, the scenarios featured in such programmes no doubt are carefully selected. Thus, they may create a false impression among some viewers because all the casualties featured seem to make full recoveries and nobody dies, when in real life some casualties either die or otherwise suffer permanent injury/disability. Anyhow, back towards the main topic to which can be applied the semi-whimsical epiphet "Grid refs rule okay" or its variant "Grid refs rule UK", so hope forum users are up to speed with using grid references and encourage others to do likewise. Last time I moved house my change of address advice included the grid reference of the new abode. This seemed to spark off a minor trend as a number of friends and relatives acknowledged my information and cited their own grid refs!
messyshaw  
#24 Posted : 13 October 2011 19:28:09(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
messyshaw

Also worth noting that although a BT operator will attempt to connect you with your local fire service, this may not be possible on all occasions. (so local landmarks may be of no use) I needed to contact my old employer's (London Fire Brigade) fire control urgently when I was some distance from my fire appliance, so used the 999 system from a house. The BT operator connected me with Devon Fire Service(or Somerset & Devon as they are now known). That was one confusing phone call as they had no idea who I was and I thought I was talking to a control centre in London!!! :)
cliveg  
#25 Posted : 13 October 2011 21:56:03(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
cliveg

Hello Messyshaw Presumably you were somewhere in Devon at the time? The contract between BT and the emergency services is for them to connect the call to the control room for the area that the call was made from - and that works for either landline or mobile. They will know where you are to that geographic level, but would not be able to triangulate you to any closer than that.
messyshaw  
#26 Posted : 13 October 2011 23:09:29(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
messyshaw

No Clive, I was attending a fire in London, approximately 240 miles from Devon's control room! In fairness, this was during a long hot summer and apparently all 999 lines to nearer county fire service control rooms were busy. (so I was told!)
cliveg  
#27 Posted : 14 October 2011 18:17:35(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
cliveg

There is an overflow agreement with neighbouring control rooms, but they don't normally get bounced that far. They must have been busy!
Users browsing this topic
Guest
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.