Ambulance service: Every second counts in saving a life.

The sight of an ambulance with its siren on and flickering red and blue lights stuck on a busy road is a recurring scene.

Published: 00:00 February 21, 2011 Dubai:

 Imagine this scenario. You have severe chest pain and can't breathe. The car rushing you to hospital is stuck on a congested road with several traffic lights and motorists refuse to give way. Every second counts but each one seems like hours. Have you ever imagined yourself in such a situation? Have you ever seen an ambulance stuck on a congested road and wondered how serious the situation is?

The sight of an ambulance with its siren on and flickering red and blue lights stuck on a busy road is a recurring scene. The authorities in Dubai are going all out to provide prompt medical service without being hampered by inconsiderate motorists who often refuse to give way and, in some cases, follow the ambulance, hoping to find an easy way out of the traffic jam. The number of calls from people seeking medical help topped 76,000 last year. "We want to pass on the information that the way of ambulances should not be obstructed," said Khalifa Hassan Al Darrai, Executive Director of Dubai Corporation of Ambulance Services (DCAS), which has nearly 70 ambulances on duty. He added that motorists' behaviour is one of the main obstacles facing the life savers on the road. Last week, Dubai launched its biggest campaign aiming to promote awareness of the importance of keeping the road clear for ambulances that are often racing against time to take a critically ill patient to hospital. Many languages "An ambulance on the way means someone's life is in danger," the campaign says. It includes advertisements in many languages, and distribution of promotional material in 15 shopping centres around Dubai. "Every now and then we run a similar campaign, but this is [the first] on such a large scale and outreach," Al Darrai told Gulf News. The one-week campaign entitled "Give way to ambulance" was organised by the DCAS, Dubai Police and Prime Medical Centre. "We can do our job if people cooperate and help us do our job," Neil Kirby, Ambulance Operation Director at DCAS told Gulf News in an interview. "This is what the campaign is all about." Asked about the main challenge an ambulance driver faces on the street, Kirby said, "It is going into the minds of the other drivers and to sense what they are thinking. I really commend our drivers for the great job they do. They have to predict what every car will do." While many motorists blame traffic congestion on the roads for blocking the way of ambulances, officials said in extremely critical cases, there is an agreement between Dubai police and the ambulance service for a traffic officer or a patrol to accompany an ambulance, to guarantee its quick passage until it reaches the hospital safely. In other more intricate emergencies, helicopters could also be involved in the process. However, other than in an emergency, an ambulance will never run a red light. "We have a policy for ambulances not to run a red light because we have two considerations, one is to get to the hospital quickly and the other part is to do it safely," Kirby said. "The safest thing to do is to wait at the intersection until it is clear and then proceed." However, he added, "If the police are with us, control the intersection and guarantee our safety, we will cross." In many countries, obstructing an emergency vehicle is sufficient reason for arrest. In Dubai, officials noted, it is allowed to run a red light to clear the way for an ambulance in the absence of other options. But this is subject to police verification. Do you give way to ambulances? What are the main reasons why people do not let ambulances pass?

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